The Origin of the Late Medieval Population of the Novgorod Republic (13th–16th Centuries), Based on Craniometric Data

The Origin of the Late Medieval Population of the Novgorod Republic (13th–16th Centuries), Based on Craniometric Data

S.L. Sankina.

The results of a multivariate analysis of craniometric data suggest that the late medieval population of the Novgorod Republic (13th–16th centuries) was biologically heterogeneous. Certain populations evidently originated from the earlier (11th–13th centuries) people of the same territory, whereas another, more numerous component was akin to late groups of Baltic Finns. The fi rst component is paralleled by Mesolithic and Early Neolithic series from Zveinieki, Latvia, by the crania of the Battle Axe people of Estonia, and by others from the Ladoga Channel. The second component, exhibiting Sami-like features, resembles the Neolithic populations of the forest zone of the Russian Plain and a Mesolithic group from Yuzhny Oleniy (Southern Reindeer) Island on Lake Onega. The coexistence of groups with markedly Caucasoid features with those showing an “eastern” tendency during the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and the Middle Ages evidences multiple migrations from the east and the southwest.

Keywords: Novgorod Republic, Slavs, Finns, Balts, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Middle Ages, craniometry, population
history.