The concept of robusticity in (palaeo-) anthropology and its broad range of application: a short review
The concept of robusticity is widely used in palaeoanthropological and bioarchaeological studies. Distinct skeletal structures are described as robust. Many specialists and non-specialists alike use the term robusticity colloquially to emphasize a general impression, sometimes without considering al...
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Société d'Anthropologie de Paris
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/bmsap/10319 |
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| author | Tony Chevalier |
| author_facet | Tony Chevalier |
| author_sort | Tony Chevalier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The concept of robusticity is widely used in palaeoanthropological and bioarchaeological studies. Distinct skeletal structures are described as robust. Many specialists and non-specialists alike use the term robusticity colloquially to emphasize a general impression, sometimes without considering all the specific definitions it may encompass. Structural robusticity generally refers to a strong or heavy structure, and to the ability of bone structure to resist loads. A wide variety of quantitative and qualitative criteria are used to determine structural robusticity. For example, some authors evaluate bone hypertrophy/reinforcement from a biomechanical approach, and scaled variables based on body size or baseline load; other authors refer to crests, tori, ridges and rugosities. The disparately used term robusticity also includes criteria representing nothing more than bone size (i.e., non-scaled variables) and shape. Consequently, the term robusticity (or robust, robustness) must be used with care, specifically in syntheses and by non-specialists. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9d6d37faaa3c4718a2a44afd69f7967e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1777-5469 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | Société d'Anthropologie de Paris |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris |
| spelling | doaj-art-9d6d37faaa3c4718a2a44afd69f7967e2025-08-20T01:51:42ZengSociété d'Anthropologie de ParisBulletins et Mémoires de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris1777-54692022-10-013410.4000/bmsap.10319The concept of robusticity in (palaeo-) anthropology and its broad range of application: a short reviewTony ChevalierThe concept of robusticity is widely used in palaeoanthropological and bioarchaeological studies. Distinct skeletal structures are described as robust. Many specialists and non-specialists alike use the term robusticity colloquially to emphasize a general impression, sometimes without considering all the specific definitions it may encompass. Structural robusticity generally refers to a strong or heavy structure, and to the ability of bone structure to resist loads. A wide variety of quantitative and qualitative criteria are used to determine structural robusticity. For example, some authors evaluate bone hypertrophy/reinforcement from a biomechanical approach, and scaled variables based on body size or baseline load; other authors refer to crests, tori, ridges and rugosities. The disparately used term robusticity also includes criteria representing nothing more than bone size (i.e., non-scaled variables) and shape. Consequently, the term robusticity (or robust, robustness) must be used with care, specifically in syntheses and by non-specialists.https://journals.openedition.org/bmsap/10319Human evolutionrobust/robustnessbone strengthskull superstructureentheses |
| spellingShingle | Tony Chevalier The concept of robusticity in (palaeo-) anthropology and its broad range of application: a short review Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris Human evolution robust/robustness bone strength skull superstructure entheses |
| title | The concept of robusticity in (palaeo-) anthropology and its broad range of application: a short review |
| title_full | The concept of robusticity in (palaeo-) anthropology and its broad range of application: a short review |
| title_fullStr | The concept of robusticity in (palaeo-) anthropology and its broad range of application: a short review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The concept of robusticity in (palaeo-) anthropology and its broad range of application: a short review |
| title_short | The concept of robusticity in (palaeo-) anthropology and its broad range of application: a short review |
| title_sort | concept of robusticity in palaeo anthropology and its broad range of application a short review |
| topic | Human evolution robust/robustness bone strength skull superstructure entheses |
| url | https://journals.openedition.org/bmsap/10319 |
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