Differences in masticatory loads impact facial bone surface remodeling in an archaeological sample of South American individuals

•Cranial form variation among past populations has been linked to dietary differences.•Signs of diet in bony remains are useful in reconstructing life history.•Facial strains during biting were compared with bone remodeling patterns.•Bone remodeling data correlate with predicted masticatory strains.•Mechanical loading can enhance the variation in human craniofacial morphology.