Neo Melanesid Phenotype - Face Features & Origin

Average Face

The Neo 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 Neo 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, sometimes medium brown skin. Tight-curly hair that is red or blonde in rare cases. Height variable, often medium-tall, ectomorph to mesomorph, brachyskelic, long arms. Mesocephalic, sometimes dolichocephalic, mildly hypsicranic. Mildly platyrrhine or mesorrhine, long, high-rooted, convex, fleshy, sometimes Assyriform nose. Lips relatively thick, but not bulging. Finer features than in Mountain Melanesids. Deep-set eyes, chin receding, occasionally prognathous, body hair moderate.

Historical Background

Melanesid subtype of New Guinea. Found especially in lowlands and river plains, with its highest concentration in the south of the island. More common in Papuan speakers. Also in the Torres Strait, Ceram, Halmahera, East Flores, Aru, and North Australia. Has recently been pushed into minority status in Western New Guinea.

Source: Human Phenotypes — Neo Melanesid

References & Literature

The Neo 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.
• Weinert, H. 1965. Die heutigen Rassen der Menschheit. In: Lundwig, B. and H. Plank. Handbuch der Biologie. Vol 9 (2).
• Knussmann, R. 1996. Vergleichende Biologie des Menschen: Lehrbuch der Anthropologie und Humangenetik. 2ed. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag.
• Biasutti, R. 1967 (1941). Le Razze e i Popoli della terra. 4th Ed. Vol 1-4. U.T.E.T., Torino.
• Baumann, H.. 1952. Die Rassen Afrikas. In: Historia Mundi. Band 1, Munich, 167-174.
• Czekanowski, J.. 1967. Cz owiek w czasie i przestrzenie. Pa stwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe. Warsaw.
• Hooton, E.A. 1946. Up from the Ape. Rev. ed. Macmillan Company . New York.
• Vallois, H. V. 1971. Las races humaines. 8 Ed. Grammont.
• Lundman, B. 1967. Geographische Anthropologie. Rassen und Völker der Erde. G. Fischer, Stuttgart

Related Phenotypes

Other human phenotypes related to Neo 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...

• Insular Melanesid

  Melanesia

  Melanesid proper, associated with many Austronesian speakers of Melanesia. Similar to Paleo Melanesid, but with softer features. Common in E...

• Mountain Melanesid

  Melanesia

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