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Melanesid

From Physical Anthropology
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Melanesid
Sub-Types Paleo Melanesid, Insular Melanesid, Mountain Melanesid, Tapirid, Neo Melanesid, Brachio Melanesid, Bukaid, Fijid
Group Australoid
Distribution Map

Description

The dominant type of New Guinea and Melanesian islands. The name derives from melas (Greek) = black, and nesos = island. Probably developed through various migrations from South-East Asia during the Paleolithic and Neolithic. Although features sometimes appear Sub-Saharan African, no close relationship exists, and they result from convergent evolution. Besides the Insular Melanesid proper, a more gracile, long-nosed Neo Melanesid variety is found among Papuans. Mountain Melanesids show very robust features, Tapirids are among the shortest people of the world. In the Western Solomon Islands, a very dark Bukaid variety exists. A very ancient, Australoid variety is the Paleo Melanesid .[1]

Physical Traits

Medium brown to black skin, tight-curly hair, robust features, often with supraorbital arches, wide, relatively high noses and full lips, the height is variable, the limbs are long.



References