Insular Melanesid Phenotype - Face Features & Origin

Average Face

The Insular Melanesid phenotype average face is a composite synthesized from multiple individual photographs by historical anthropologists. It represents a statistical impression of recurring facial features, not a real person.

Geographic Distribution

The Insular Melanesid phenotype is native to Melanesia. The historical distribution below reflects approximate centers of prevalence documented roughly 1500 years ago; modern borders and population movements have since blurred these boundaries.

Approximate coordinates: -10.00°, 155.00° (latitude, longitude).

Physical Characteristics

Dark brown skin. Black-brown, sometimes blonde or even reddish, tight-curly, sometimes kinky hair. Short to medium-height, brachy- sometimes mesoskelic, endo- to ectomorph. Dolicho- mesocephalic, hypsicranic. Features similar to Paleo Melanesid, but much softer. The face is comparatively long, brow ridges and prognathism only mild. (Mildly) platyrrhine snub nose, often concave. Forehead high, lips rather thick, never bulging. Body hair strong, chin receding.

Historical Background

Melanesid proper, associated with many Austronesian speakers of Melanesia. Similar to Paleo Melanesid, but with softer features. Common in East Papua, New Britain, New Ireland, Admiralty Islands, Eastern Solomon Islands, Nendo, Banks Islands, and Vanuatu. More mixed in Eastern Indonesia, New Caledonia, Fiji, across Polynesia and Micronesia, Philippines, and even Taiwan.

Source: Human Phenotypes — Insular Melanesid

References & Literature

The Insular Melanesid phenotype entry above is compiled from the following academic references. Readers are encouraged to consult the original sources for verification and deeper context.

• Eickstedt, E. von. 1934. Rassenkunde und Rassengeschichte der Menschheit. Ferdinand Enke. Stuttgart.
• Speiser, F. 1938. Melanesien und Indonesien. Zeitschrift fuer Ethnologie. 70(6). Berlin.
• Dart, R. 1955. Three Strandloper from the Kaokoveld Coast. S. Afr. J. Sci 51. 175-179.
• Howells, W. W. 1970. Anthropometric Grouping Analysis of Pacific Peoples. Archaeology & Physical Anthropology in Oceania. 5, 3. 192-217.
• Howells, W. W. and I. Schwidetzky. 1981. Oceania. In: Schwidetzky, I.: Rassengeschichte der Menschheit, Asien In: Japan, Indonesien, Ozeanien. R. Odenbourg. München. Wien.
• Biasutti, R.. 1952. Rassenkunde und Rassengeschichte von Ozeanien. In: Historia Mundi. Band 1, Munich, 204-216.
• Vallois, H. V. 1971. Las races humaines. 8 Ed. Grammont.
• Debets, G. 1974. Essay on the Graphical Presentation of the Genealogical Classification of Human Races. In: Bromley, Y. Soviet Ethnology and Anthropology Today. Mouton & Co.
• Biasutti, R. 1967 (1941). Le Razze e i Popoli della terra. 4th Ed. Vol 1-4. U.T.E.T., Torino.

Related Phenotypes

Other human phenotypes related to Insular Melanesid by geography or typological similarity.

• Brachio Melanesid

  Melanesia

  Atypical brachycephalic Melanesid variety native to Melanesia and New Guinea. In its most pronounced form in the Kerewo of Goaribari Island ...

• Bukaid

  Melanesia

  Melanesid variety, associated with the ancient "Walzenbeil" culture. Has sometimes been described as bantuiform, although no close genetic r...

• Fijid

  Melanesia

  Polynesid-Melanesid contact type. The dominant type in the population of the Fiji Islands. Both elements have probably mixed in the zone for...

• Mountain Melanesid

  Melanesia

  Melanesian mountain variety, relatively ancient with similarities to Paleo Melanesid. Found mainly among New Guinean highlanders like Dani, ...

• Neo Melanesid

  Melanesia

  Melanesid subtype of New Guinea. Found especially in lowlands and river plains, with its highest concentration in the south of the island. M...