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Introduction

In: Multivariate Statistical Methods in Physical Anthropology

Author

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  • W. W. Howells

    (Harvard University, Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology)

Abstract

In the mid-eighteenth century Dr. Johnson (quoted by D’Arcy Thompson, 1942) wrote: “The mathematicians are well acquainted with the difference between pure science, which has only to do with ideas, and the application of laws to the use of life, in which they are constrained to submit to the imperfections of matter and the influence of accident”. Two hundred years have not outdated this observation although, in specifics, both mathematical statistics and the anthropological study of populations have progressed long distances in parallel. Each has done what it was able to do, halting at times because of limits in ideas or techniques, and again moving into fresh pastures when such barriers were removed. Anthropology has, as is well known, depended more and more on mathematical statistics and on statisticians, while statisticians have, as is also well known, found human material, expecially crania, particularly suited to their purposes. Such reciprocal advance is necessary but difficult: the mathematics are now rather demanding for most untrained anthropologists and repellent to some. And statisticians do not always see biological questions with the eyes of an anthropologist.

Suggested Citation

  • W. W. Howells, 1984. "Introduction," Springer Books, in: G. N. Van Vark & W. W. Howells (ed.), Multivariate Statistical Methods in Physical Anthropology, pages 1-11, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-94-009-6357-3_1
    DOI: 10.1007/978-94-009-6357-3_1
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