Publication Date

8-5-1970

Abstract

This study is concerned with the diversity among American Indian groups, particularly the Nadene speakers, as reflected biologically and culturally. Specifically the relationships between the blood group frequencies, anthropometric measurements, linguistic affiliation, and cultural adaptation are investigated. Various statistical estimates of biological distance between groups are presented and evaluated, and these are used to generate distance values between the Indian populations. These values are then compared with glottochronological estimates of time depth. The final analysis is a comparison of mean distances between groups which ore similar or dissimilar with respect to microenvironment, linguistic affiliation·, relative degree of sedentism, and primary exploitation product. The results of this analysis produce an estimate of the degree to which cultural, historical, and biological diversity are related in the populations studied. The conclusions drawn are that glottochronological estimates of time of divergence are unrelated to either morphological or genetic diversity, while linguistic affiliation, reflecting similar genetic history, is related to genetic divergence. Further, anthropometric characteristics are shown to be significantly related to variables reflecting cultural adaptation.

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Anthropology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Anthropology

First Committee Member (Chair)

James Norman Spuhler

Second Committee Member

Lewis R. Binford

Third Committee Member

Bruce Joseph Rigsby

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