Objective Total crown basal area (TCBA) and relative basal cusp area (RBCA) of 282 MSUP>1/SUP> and MSUB>1/SUB> from archeological sites spanning from Neolithic time to Qing dynasty (5 000\|200 years BP) were measured and analyzed to obtain tooth size and variations of recent Chinese populations in central China. Methods With the same standard, the high resolution pictures of occlusal surface were taken for each tooth. Digital image technique and morphometric analysis were used to obtain the TCBA and RBCA for each tooth. Results The RBCAs exhibits a sequence of protocone >paracone> metacone > hypocone in MSUP>1 /SUP>and protoconid > metaconid > hypoconid> entaconid >hypoconulid in MSUB>1/SUB>; the RBCA variations of MSUB>1/SUB> are collectively larger than those of MSUP>1/SUP>. From Neolithic time to Qing Dynasty, the MSUP>1/SUP> and MSUB>1/SUB> TCBA reduced about 6.57% and 6.15% respectively. In contrast, the RBCAs of either MSUP>1/SUP> or MSUB>1/SUB> stay relatively stable in the same period of time. Conclusion Change of food structure is thought to be the most probable reason accounting for this change in consideration of the archeological sites background. The RBCA now presented by MSUP>1/SUP> and MSUB>1 /SUB>of modern humans formed at least 5 000 years ago.