Secular trends in cranial morphological traits: a socioeconomic perspective of change and sexual dimorphism in North Americans 1849–1960

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BACKGROUND: The human body has undergone significant changes in stature and other areas, which reflect secular trends associated with socioeconomics. AIM: To analyse cranial morphological traits for deciphering if they are subject to secular trends. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two documented skeletal collections were sampled for a total of 525 individuals from 1849-1960. Cranial morphological traits were scored and input into time series statistics (logistic regression). RESULTS: In females, nuchal crests have enlarged, while glabella has decreased. In males, supraorbital margins have dulled, while glabella decreased. Sexual dimorphism increased in supraorbital margins. CONCLUSION: The patterns in the data here reflect those found in other areas of the skeleton, namely height, as regards to secular trends. These findings can be extended to stature and cranial changes that parallel socioeconomic trends during the Industrial Revolution, antebellum period and after.