This project investigates the biological and cultural diversity of early Holocene populations from central Mexico through an integrated analysis of cranial and endocranial morphology. It focuses on individuals from the Tehuacan Valley and Valsequillo, Puebla – assemblages excavated more than fifty years ago but never examined with contemporary analytical frameworks – whose preservation enables the study of key anatomical structures such as the bony labyrinth of the inner ear.

The research applies Virtual Anthropology and Geometric Morphometrics to generate and analyze 3D models derived from CT and micro-CT scans. All segmentation and data processing are conducted using open-source software to ensure full methodological reproducibility and to create a reusable digital archive. Cranial morphology is assessed through 3D landmark and semilandmark configurations on both the ectocranium and endocranium. Comparative analyses incorporate early and late Holocene samples from Mexico, as well as reference datasets from South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Multivariate statistical approaches and cladistic methods are used to evaluate morphological affinities, test dispersal models, and assess evolutionary processes underlying the observed variation.

The project also conducts the first systematic evaluation of intentional cranial modification in the Tehuacan and Valsequillo individuals. These crania are compared with known modified individuals from Mexico and South America, as well as unmodified individuals from the same Mexican contexts. Multivariate analyses are used to identify modification types, altered cranial regions, and subtle morphological changes that may not be detectable macroscopically.

By integrating ectocranial and endocranial datasets, 3D imaging, and reproducible morphometric workflows, this project provides a comprehensive reassessment of early Holocene morphological diversity in Mexico, while it also position these individuals within broader continental debates on the peopling of the Americas and the emergence of cultural practices in Mesoamerica.