Palaeo-Eskimo and Maritime Archaic Skulls from Newfoundland.
Physical anthropologists can learn a great deal from the bones of prehistoric people. Often racial affinity, sex, and age at death, and occasionally the cause of death can be determined.
This slide shows a Dorset Eskimo skull (left) and a Maritime Archaic Indian skull (right). Aside from the differential staining caused by their respective burial environments, other features distinguish the skulls as being of two different populations. Although somewhat distorted, the Palaeo-Eskimo skull is long and narrow compared with the broader Indian skull. Characteristic of Palaeo-Eskimo and living Inuit people is the massive malar, or cheek bone, which produces a broad and relatively flat face. Scientists rely on such criteria to determine with which ancient population their discoveries belong.
