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

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.