The first STEM lecture of the spring semester, presented Tuesday by anthropology professor Samantha Hens, explored the way facial symmetry can be used to measure health.

Hens is a Sacramento State researcher who studied the skulls of ancient Romans using 3-D modeling techniques.

Hens’ research determined that if a skull is symmetrical in shape, it is an indicator of the person’s good health, virility and even survivability. Fluctuating asymmetry suggests underlying genetic problems, ill health or environmental stress.

“Fluctuating asymmetry is a measure of an individual’s genetic quality. The basic idea is that the genes within an individual should code for each side of the body equally so your left arm should develop like your right arm, your left eye like your right eye, your left ear like your right ear, and so on,” Hens said. “But, random events in the outside environment, like disease and poor nutrition, can interfere with this development.”

Hens’ research in Italy consisted of skull analysis of more than 50 skulls from three locations, Isola Sacra Portus, Velia and Castel Malnome.

Using innovative 3-dimensional analysis, Hens discovered low fluctuating asymmetry in all three populations. Her original predictions suggested that fluctuating asymmetry would be more prominent in the working-class population of Castel Malnome.

“I found it interesting that they did not find a lot of fluctuation in the facial skeleton, which I thought is what they would find, but I also thought it was interesting that she seems kind of surprised that the lower skull did not have a lot of fluctuation,” said Amanda Murray, graduate anthropology student.

The reason for limited fluctuating asymmetry in the studied populations may be because times were not too rough for the people, or they just had good genes, Hens said.

Aside from presenting her research of ancient Roman populations, Hens also spoke about the importance of the unity of knowledge between science and the humanities.

“Consilience, the final concept that she talked about in the end, the marriage of science with the humanities, I found to be extremely fascinating,” said Miles Minnies, a retired history teacher.

Minnies came to the lecture because he heard about Hens’ research through a friend and wanted to hear more about it.

“I lived in Europe for years and went to many Roman ruins and spent time in Rome so I was also interested in that aspect of (the lecture),” Minnies said.

Inna Gritsak can be reached at [email protected]