Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia 40 (2) 2012

Annotation:  The Upper Paleolithic Assemblages of Shugnou, Tajikistan Fish Bones in Odino Ritual Complexes at Preobrazhenka-6, Western Siberia Copper Mines, Chromite Copper Ores and Slags of the Ishkinino Bronze Age Archaeological Microregion, On the Origins of Decorative Traditions in the Early Bronze Age Pottery of the Middle Tobol Basin, W Suruktakh-Khaya Sanctuary, Yakutia, Revisited: Tentative Results and Prospects Early Iron Age Archer’s Finger Tab from the Eastern Amur Region Medieval (9th–13th Century) Combs from Northwestern Siberia The Masoleums of Majar in 18th-Century Descriptions and Drawings Qasar-Qurug: Western Headquarters of the Uighur Khagans and the Problem of Por-Bazhyn Identifi catio Grave Circle B at Mycenae in the Context of Links Between the Eastern Mediterranean and Scandinavia Tobolsk Enkolpion Traditional Perceptions of the Dog Among the Khakas People of the Late 19th–mid 20th Century Impact of Salmon Fishing on Livelihood and Social Relations Among the Ulchi and the Amur Nanai (Seco NULLEmotion, Identity, and Death in the Greek Tradition and Beyond On the Biological Affi nities of People of the “Lappish Parishes”: A Craniometric Analysis of the 17   

On the Biological Affi nities of People of the “Lappish Parishes”: A Craniometric Analysis of the 17th – Early 19th Century Population of Alozero, Karelia

V.I. Khartanovich and I.G. Shirobokov.

The 17th–early 19th century cranial series, consisting of 23 specimens (15 male and 8 female) from Alozero is the earliest from northern Karelia. The cemetery was evidently left by one of the fi rst groups of Karelians who had permanently settled in this territory. Their crania are generally similar to those of later Karelians. Two distinct morphological trait combinations are present. One is characterized by robustness, a very high vault and a broad face. This combination appears to be the earliest since it links the Alozero people not only with later northwestern Karelians but also with the medieval population of the northwestern Ladoga region and ultimately with the Mesolithic and Neolithic people of the Baltic region. Another trait combination includes a medium high cranial vault, a medium broad face and a convex nasal bridge, linking it with the combination displayed by recent Finns of Finland. The latter component apparently refl ects immigration from central Finland. The predecessors of Karelians in that territory are sometimes said to be related to modern Sami. However, no evidence of Sami admixture has been detected either in the Alozero series or in other Karelian groups.

Keywords: Craniometry, population history, northwestern Russia, Karelians, Finns, Sami.