Changes in Human Skull Anatomy from Past to Today: Systematic Review

Abstract

Aim: Changes in human populations and anatomical features are explained by various evolutionary processes, with cranial diversity being among the most striking. The skull is composed of three regions with distinct developmental origins: the cranial vault, face, and skull base. Skull morphology is known to have evolved significantly over centuries. This study aims to systematically examine anatomical changes in the skull and its formations over time by reviewing studies on skull morphology. Materials and Methods: The systematic review was conducted between November 8, 2023, and December 20, 2023. Publications were accessed by searching PubMed, Springer, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords “human evolution”, “cranial anatomy evolution”, and “evolution homo skull”. Results: A total of 82,043 articles were initially identified through the search. Of the 16 studies selected for in-depth review, 10 provided data on the geographic regions to which the skulls belonged, and 6 provided data on their estimated time period. All studies analyzed skull morphology through three-dimensional imaging, which was generated using various computer software programs. Conclusion: Our review of studies examining skull morphology across different centuries suggests that factors such as time, temperature, location, climate, and environmental conditions contribute to variations in skull shapes and sizes. The findings indicate that skull morphology shows greater similarity across certain groups at younger ages, with differentiation increasing over time.