Abstract:
The metric analysis of phenotypic variation observed in human
skeletons is valuable for the determination of biological relatedness or
ancestry, particularly when testing specific hypotheses concerning the
possible ancestry of individuals from unmarked graves. The purpose of
this paper is to determine the possible ancestry of unknown individuals
excavated from an area next to the fenced Gladstone Cemetery in
Kimberley, South Africa, using cranio-morphometry. The skeletons are
thought to be those of migrant diamond mine labourers who died
between 1897 and 1900. Two historical statements will be tested:
firstly that black labourers came to work in Kimberley from various
regions in Africa south of the equator and secondly that the local
Khoe-San people did not participate in significant numbers as mine
workers. Standard craniometric measurements were taken from
59 well-preserved male crania. These measurements were compared to
craniometric data of eight modern and archaeological groups of males
of known origin from Africa and Asia. Descriptive as well as
univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed using
SPSS. Eleven craniometric variables were selected for analysis.
Results obtained are in accord with the historical documents stating
that the majority of labourers at the Kimberley mines were migrant
workers and that the local communities (including Khoe-San) did not
contribute much to the workforce. Many of the labourers came from
elsewhere in southern Africa (e.g. KwaZulu-Natal), but some may
have originated from further afield. The heterogeneous nature of the
sample reflects the varied origins of workers in Kimberley as well as
some possible genetic admixture. This study reiterates the value of
craniometric analyses as a tool to determine the probability of ancestry
of unknown individuals when viewed in the light of contextual historical
information.
