Lagoa Santa Phenotype - Face Features & Origin

Average Face

The Lagoa Santa 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 Lagoa Santa phenotype is native to South America. 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: -15.00°, -60.00° (latitude, longitude).

Physical Characteristics

Yellowish/copperish light to medium brown skin, straight or wavy hair. (Rather) short, mesoskelic, sometimes brachyskelic, meso- to endomorph. Dolicho- mesocephalic, sometimes hyperdolichocephalic, hypsicephalic. Meso- platyrrhine, low-rooted, sometimes concave nose. Face is low and large with deep-set eyes and supraorbital ridges. Strong sexual dimorphism, mild prognathy. Cheekbones and jaw broad. Eyelids narrow, sometimes with slanted eyes.

Historical Background

Lagid proper, named after fossil remains of Brazil. Associated with one of the first migration waves to South America. Skulls sometimes Melanesiform. More widespread in prehistoric times. Still common in Jê speakers like Xavante, Xerente, Krahô, Kayapo, Apinajé, U'wa. Also in Xingu and Ayoreo and some Amazonians (e.g. Yanomani, Ye'kuana). More mixed in Bororo, even in the extinct Pericú.

Source: Human Phenotypes — Lagoa Santa

References & Literature

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

• Hansen, S. 1888. Lagoa-Santa Racen. La race de Lagoa Santa. Samml. af Abhandl. e Museo Lundii I, 1-37. Copenhagen.
• Virchow, R. 1874. Die physische Anthropologie der Finnen. Verh. Berliner Ges. Anthr. Ethnol. Urg. VI. 185-189.
• Eickstedt, E. von. 1934. Rassenkunde und Rassengeschichte der Menschheit. Ferdinand Enke. Stuttgart.
• Imbelloni, J.. 1937. Fuéguides et Laguides. Position actuelle de la race Paleo-Américaine ou de antropologia fisica de la Patagonie austral. Zeitschrift für Rassenkunde 5, 295-315.
• Lundman, B. 1967. Geographische Anthropologie. Rassen und Völker der Erde. G. Fischer, Stuttgart
• Biasutti, R. 1967 (1941). Le Razze e i Popoli della terra. 4th Ed. Vol 1-4. U.T.E.T., Torino.
• Imbelloni, J. 1958. Nouveaux apports à la classification de l'homme américain. Miscellanea P. Rivet octogenario dicata. Mexico.
• Kunter, M. 1987. Population and racial history of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. In: Schwidetzky, I. Rassengeschischte des Menschheit 12.
• Knussmann, R. 1996. Vergleichende Biologie des Menschen: Lehrbuch der Anthropologie und Humangenetik. 2ed. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag.

Related Phenotypes

Other human phenotypes related to Lagoa Santa by geography or typological similarity.

• Bororo

  South America

  The northernmost Patagonid variety, often mixed with local Lagid elements, but with a variety of unique features. Native to the savannah and...

• Botocudo

  South America

  Lagid subtype of the Mata Atlântica forests of Brazil, partially mixed with the Fuegid substratum (South Fuegids, Huarpids). Was the dominan...

• Central Andid

  South America

  Andid variety, mostly native the Andes mountains from South Peru to Northern Chile. The large thorax and other traits indicate a significant...

• Chocó-Motilon

  South America

  Special type found in Colombia, Venezuela, as well as Panama. Contains Brasilid elements as well as relicts of one of the first migrations t...

• Huarpid

  South America

  Northern Fuegid variety that is often considered part of the Lagoid group. Shows Melanesiform features and probably arrived with one of the ...