Description
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.
Historical Context
This type represents the island-dwelling Melanesian populations who have been shaped by maritime culture and Austronesian linguistic influence. The softer features compared to highland Melanesian varieties may reflect adaptation to coastal environments and distinct migration patterns.
Physical Traits
Height: Short to medium
Build: Endo- to ectomorph
Limbs: Brachy- sometimes mesoskelic
Skull: Dolicho- to mesocephalic, hypsicranic
Face: Comparatively long, softer features
Nose: Mildly platyrrhine snub, often concave
Skin: Dark brown
Hair: Black-brown tight-curly, sometimes blonde/reddish
Body hair: Strong
Dark brown skin with black-brown, tight-curly, sometimes kinky hair that can be blonde or even reddish. Features are similar to Paleo Melanesid but much softer. The face is comparatively long, with only mild brow ridges and prognathism. The nose is mildly platyrrhine snub, often concave. High forehead, rather thick lips that never bulge. Strong body hair with receding chin.
Literature References
Earlier classifications included it in Paleo Melanesid (Eickstedt, 1934; Speiser, 1938), often as its northern, gracilised variety, or Insular Melanesid (Drexel, 1955). After new analyses separated New Caledonians (Howells, 1970; Howells and Schwidetzky, 1981) it appeared as Melanesid in various systems (Biasutti, 1952; Vallois, 1971; Debets, 1974) or as part of Papua-Melanesid (Biasutti, 1967).
