Expert: John Shea - 2/26/2009

Question
John,
Is there a known specific racial or ethnic origin of the aquiline/roman/hook nose?

Thanks,
Drew

Answer
Drew
Not really.  Such noses are found mainly in parts of the world where the climate was (or remains) relatively dry and/or cold. As I understand it, high arched noses allow inhaled air to be warmed and moistened more efficiently than less-arched ones.  So, you find such noses pretty much all over western Asia, North Africa, and to a varying extent in drier parts of the New World.  Facial width may also play a role in how prominent such noses are.  Age, too, may be a factor.  Cartilage continues to grow after facial bone has largely stopped growing, so an overall older population will appear to have larger noses than a younger one.
Cheers,
John Shea