Description:
Atypical brachycephalic Melanesid variety native to Melanesia and New Guinea. In its most pronounced form in the Kerewo of Goaribari Island in the Papua Gulf - and the related Kiwai. Another centre lies in the Bismarck Archipelago. Occasionally in East New Guinea, highlanders (Bena Bena), and along the Bougainville Strait.Physical Traits:
Dark reddish-brown skin. Usually tight-curly hair that is red or blonde in rare cases. Medium-height to rather short, brachyskelic, mesomorph to endomorph with long arms. (Mildly) brachycephalic, orthocranic with a mildly platyrrhine, high-rooted nose. Lips relatively thick, but not bulging. Deep-set eyes, chin somewhat stronger than in other Melanesids, occasionally prognathous, body hair moderate.Literature:
The brachycephalic element was reported early by Haddon (1916). Both Eickstedt (1934) and Battaglia (1967), among others, reported brachycephal Melanesids from different places.
