Description
Margid proper. Probably arrived with one of the earlier migrations to America. Typified by Otomi, Purépecha, Pame, Pima of Mexico, as well West Mono and Pomo of California. More mixed in Maidu, Aztecs, Maya, Yuma, Shoshone, and many others over a large area from Northern Guatemala to the Great Plains.
Although it is often mixed today, it still plays an important role in modern Mexicans. The type represents a significant indigenous component in Mesoamerican populations and contributed substantially to the genetic and phenotypic diversity of the region.
Physical Traits
Skin: Reddish medium to dark brown
Hair: Straight black
Height: Rather short
Build: Endomorph, sometimes ectomorph
Leg length: Meso- to macroskelic
Skull: Mesocephalic, sometimes dolichocephalic
Cranium: Mildly hypsicranic
Nose: Mesorrhine, straight or slightly concave
Nose root: Depressed
Face: Rhomboid, mildly prognathous
Chin: Slightly receding
Brow ridges: Visible supraorbital arches
Eyes: Usually not slanted
The Mexicid type displays characteristic indigenous American features with reddish medium to dark brown skin and straight black hair. The stature is rather short with a meso- to macroskelic (proportional to long-legged) build. Body type tends toward endomorph, though ectomorphic variants exist. The skull is mesocephalic (medium-headed), occasionally dolichocephalic (long-headed), and mildly hypsicranic (high-vaulted).
Facial features include a rhomboid (diamond-shaped) face with mild prognathism. The nose is mesorrhine (medium width), typically straight or slightly concave with a depressed root. The chin is slightly receding, and supraorbital arches are visible. Eyes are usually not slanted, distinguishing this type from more northern indigenous American varieties.
Literature References
Named and defined by Lundman (1967), who separated it from Californids who were often combined with the type by other authors. Generally regarded as the Margid proper by:
- Lundman (1967) - Named and defined Mexicid
- Eickstedt (1934) - Classified as Margid proper
- Vogel (1974) - Margid proper
- Knussmann (1996) - Margid proper
- Imbelloni (1952) - Regarded as shorter, robust version of Sonorid
- Biasutti (1967) - Considered shorter, robust version of Sonorid
