Limited
Conclusions
drawn from
the Curves.
Males.
HI c
I'j i
I
Certain series show marked irregularities in the curve and a high figure for the probable
error in most or in all of the six features, whereas others give comparatively symmetrical
curves and have consistently slight probable errors. Thus the Early Predynastic
specimens are very variable in every single feature except the cranial capacity, whereas
the Late Predynastic and the Eighteenth Dynasty from Abydos are remarkably consistent
and homogeneous-looking in almost all their features. Some periods might seem
to be heterogeneous in regard to some characters, but not in regard to others. Thus the
Roman specimens look very suspicious in the cephalic, vertical, and nasal indices, but less
so in their other features. Similarly the Twelfth to Fifteenth Dynasties from Hou look
heterogeneous in respect of facial projection and nasal index, but not in the cranial as
distinguished from the facial characters. Conversely the series of the Eighteenth
Dynasty from Shekh Ali looks heterogeneous in the cranial characters of cephalic index
and capacity, but otherwise only in the nasal index. On the other periods for which the
calculations have been made, while no safe verdict perhaps can be passed from the
mere inspection of their curves, it may be found that the peculiarities of these curves
are explicable by the conclusions which have been obtained by other methods.
F e m a l e s .
Females. Cephalic Index. The greatest variability combined with misfit is seen in the Early
Predynastic and in the Eighteenth Dynasty from Shekh Ali, which in this respect closely
resemble the male series of the same periods. The probable error of the Ptolemaic series
is nearly as great, and the misfit is actually the same as in the Early Predynastic; so that
the Ptolemaic females are rather more variable in respect of this index than the males.
But the immediately subsequent Roman period exhibits as little variability as any, thus
contrasting remarkably with the contemporary males. The Eighteenth Dynasty from
Abydos are like the males, in showing less variability than the series of the same date
from the site of Shekh Ali.
The least variable series next to the Roman is that of the Eighteenth Dynasty from
Abydos; next to which may be placed the Late Predynastic, the Twelfth to Fifteenth
Dynasties from Hou, and the Sixth to Twelfth Dynasties. Of these the Twelfth to
Fifteenth Dynasties are rather more consistent, and the Sixth to Twelfth Dynasties rather
less consistent than the corresponding series of males. The First Dynasty females closely
resemble the First Dynasty males and can hardly be judged to form a consistent series.
Vertical Index. The most variable period is the Roman, which has a larger probable
error than occurs in the vertical index of the males of any period, as well as a great misfit.
Almost as variable and even more irregular in its curve is the Eighteenth Dynasty series
from Shekh Ali. The nearest to these in date contrast strongly with them in character;
thus the Eighteenth Dynasty from Abydos has a small amount of probable error (though
there is a curious mode at 74), and the Ptolemaic is one of the least variable series.
The least variability of all is seen in the Late Predynastic, since though the probable
error is less in the Twelfth to Fifteenth Dynasties from Hou the misfit is considerable.
The Twelfth to Fifteenth Dynasties from Abydos are more variable than those from Hou.
The First Dynasty shows a small probable error and a nearly regular curve, in which
respects the females of this period are slightly superior to the males. In the large Sixth
to Twelfth Dynasty series the curve is fairly regular, but the probable error is appreciably
greater than in some other periods which contain far fewer examples ; it is greater also than
in the corresponding series of males. The Early Predynastic series shows misfit of a Limited
distinctly definite character.
Cranial Capacity. In the first place it must be observed that the variation of
capacity in the females as estimated by the probable error is throughout much less than
in the males.
The smallest probable error is in the Twelfth to Fifteenth Dynasties from Hou ; next
to this come the Romans with r= 56-2, which like the last is a smaller value than occurs
anywhere in the capacity of the males. The Twelfth to Fifteenth Dynasties from Abydos
have a slightly greater probable error than those from Hou, but exhibit a very symmetrical
curve. The Eighteenth Dynasty series from Abydos closely resembles those of the Twelfth
to Fifteenth Dynasties from the same site, the females again being much more consistent
than the males of the same time. The probable error of the Eighteenth Dynasty from
Shekh Ali is greater than that of the contemporary series from Abydos; but the curve is
regular, in marked contrast to that of the males. In the Ptolemaic series there is the same
probable error as in the Eighteenth Dynasty from Shekh Ali, but the misfit is considerable
and important; the character of the series resembles that of the Roman males rather than
of the Ptolemaic males or of the Roman females.
The most inconsistent series of all is the First Dynasty, with the largest probable
error and a striking misfit. A nearly identical amount of probable error but a less
important misfit occurs in the Sixth to Twelfth Dynasties. Having regard to the nature
of the measurement we cannot judge the Late Predynastic females to be other than
homogeneous in respect of cranial capacity; while in the Early Predynastic the curve is
no doubt consonant with the requirements of the theory of probability, though it is to be
remarked that the degree of variation is greater than in some periods.
Facial Index. The more inconsistent series are the Early Predynastic and the
Roman. Of these the Early Predynastic show much the same variability as the contemporary
males; but the Roman females are less variable than the males; their curve, in
fact, would be nearly symmetrical but for the occurrence of a few specimens with very low
indices. The Ptolemaic females, which stand next in degree of variability, can hardly be
called inconsistent and are very similar to the males of the same date.
The remaining series are remarkable for the small amount of variability which
they exhibit in comparison with the males. The most homogeneous of all are those
from the two Eighteenth Dynasty sites, in which the females closely resemble one
another, though the females from Shekh Ali have a much smaller probable error than
the males.
The two series of the Twelfth to Fifteenth Dynasty females are very similar to each
other and to the Eighteenth Dynasty series; those from Abydos are slightly the more
uniform, but in both sites there is a considerable contrast with the males. The Late Predynastic
and the Sixth to Twelfth Dynasties show a slightly larger probable error than
those hitherto noticed, but are more homogeneous than the contemporary males. The
curve presented by the First Dynasty females is hardly to be estimated as pure.
Orthognathism and Prognathism. The most inconsistent series is that of the
Eighteenth Dynasty from Shekh A l i ; its variability is indeed much less than that of
several series in the males, but it is greater than that of the males of the same site and
date. In the Eighteenth Dynasty from Abydos the variability and misfit are less than in
the three specimens, but there is nothing like the homogeneity which is apparent in the
males from Abydos. The series of the Twelfth to Fifteenth Dynasties from Abydos
m 2