Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
1) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of biology, Department of anthropology, Leninskie Gory, 1, p.12, Moscow, 119991, Russia; 2) N.N. Miklukho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; 3) ; 4) ; 5)
Pavlova N.I., e-mail: nadezhdapavlova90@gmail.com; Dubova Nadezhda A., e-mail: dubova_n@mail.ru; Goncharova Natalia N., Ph.D., ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8504-1175, e-mail: 1455008@gmail.com
This article analyzes somatological data collected by V.P. Alekseev during 1971–1983 Integrated Soviet-Indian anthropological expedition (20 anthropometric characteristics; 2,853 males aged 20–60 years belonging to 30 ethnic/caste groups). Materials have been digitized and verified by N.A. Dubova, G.V. Rykushina and A.G. Tikhonov. They also did primary analysis. The purpose of this study is to investigate morphological variability in the Indian population depending on regional, climate and ethnic/caste characteristics. We found a secular trend towards an increase in stature on the territory of India from the time of the survey to the beginning of the 21st C. Both increase in the distal parts of the limbs and a simultaneous reduction in stature and body mass from North to South of the Indian subcontinent are probably connected with marked zoning of the climate and with different racial composition of the populations. The «middle» castes are heavier compared to «high» and «low» castes. In all geographic zones, the «untouchables’» proportions and body weight are similar to those of the members of the «high» castes, and this fact may be associated with their common origin. The similarities and differences in body weight between the groups are most likely to be socially determined. Population of the region with active inter-racial contacts – the central urbanized states (Federal Territory of Delhi and Maharashtra) – has a high variability and specific combinations of body proportions. Proportions of the body are less influenced by caste barriers than by group’s origin or geographical zoning.
anthropology, morphological characteristics, India, ethnic and caste groups, secular trend, geographic variation
Цит.: Pavlova N.I., Dubova N.A., Goncharova N.N. Morphological diversity in populations of various geographical zones in India (based on data collected by V.P. Alekseev) // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2016; 3/2016; с. 59-74
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