Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
Institute of the problems of Northern development, SB RAS
The article summarizes archeoparasitological results of a study of the burial grounds left by local indigenous groups from the northern part of Western Siberia (northern Selkups and tundra Nenets from the Taz River Basin). We compared the results with ethnographic materials and gave a brief description of archeoparasitological research methodology. It was determined that diphyllobothriasis was the predominant form of helminthiasis among Taz Nenets and Selkup groups, and that the main diet of these people consisted of raw fish. At the same time, the diet of the Nenets anglers from the forest tundra – the group that left the Nyamboyto I burial ground – largely consisted of fish. While the diet of the Nenets reindeer herders of the 19th century from the Vesakoyaha River was more diverse and included reindeer meat in addition to fish. The Selkups of the 17th–19th centuries from Kikki-Akki occupy an intermediate position among populations of the Taz River basin. In the article, it is shown that children were given raw fish at an early age. Ethnographic observations regarding consumption of raw reindeer cerebrum by the Nenets reindeer herders were confirmed. Thus, the latter was the reason for the beef tapeworm infection. Based on regional differences in the prevalence of some intermediate hosts of helminthes, we reconstructed a probable path of seasonal human migration in Western Siberia. We compared the living areas of the Northern Selkups, who left Kikki-Akki burial ground, and the areas of trematoda species Opisthorchis felineus distribution. It was suggested that the Selkups’ migration was likely limited to the Taz river and, possibly, also to the Yenisei and Pur river basins. However, the Selkups’ seasonal migration from the area of modern Kikki-Akki dwelling to the Ob-Irtysh river basin seems unlikely as is the consumption of local fish by them. This study shows how promising it is to analyze archeoparasitological data in the context of ethnoarchaeological observations with the purpose to reconstruct dietary habits, food patterns, types of economic activity, health status and some other aspects of life of the ancient population and population living closer to our times.
archeoparasitology, helminthiasis, diphyllobothriasis, tapeworm, Nenets, Selkup, diet
Цит.: Slepchenko S.M., Adaev V.N. On archaeological reconstruction of dietary traditions among native peoples of Siberia: arhaeoparasitological analysis of materials dated to 17th - beginning of 20th centuries // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2017; 1/2017; с. 103-114
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