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5. DERMATOGLYPHICS OF ABKHAZO-ADYGHEAN PEOPLES OF THE CAUCASUS

DERMATOGLYPHICS OF ABKHAZO-ADYGHEAN PEOPLES OF THE CAUCASUS

Heet Henriette

Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Heet Henriette, e-mail: heet@bk.ru.

Abstract

Populations of Caucasus are dermatogyphically distinct, being generally intermediate between those of Western Asia and Europe (Heet, 1976; Heet, Dolinova, 2002). Previous data on Abkhazo-Adyghean groups are scarce. In this report, dermatoglyphic data on 51 groups of Caucasus, totaling about 10200 males, are analyzed. The sample includes eight Abkhazo-Adyghean populations (about 2400 males): Abkhazians (495), Abazins (217), Abadzekhs (125), Bzhedugs (348), Shapsugs (240), Chemguis (193), Cherkess (166), and Kabardins (645). Two multidimensional analyses were conducted using a set of key diagnostic traits. Generally, the Abkhazo-Adyghean samples are similar and homogeneous. The mean Generalized Dermatoglyphic Distance (GDD) equals 8.4, which is nearly twice less than that between groups of the entire Caucasus. Among the speakers of Caucasian languages, Abkhazo-Adygheans are closest to Kartvelians and Iranians (GDD ranges within 6.1–6.3) and somewhat less similar to the Turkic-speaking groups except Nogais and to Dagestanians (7.1–7.4), being furthest from the Nakh-speaking people. The South Caucasoid Complex is lower in Abkhazo-Adyghean and Kartvelian speakers (58.0 and 58.7, respectively) than in Turks (61.0), Dagestanians (62.3), Armenians (62.7), and Iranians (62.9). Two significant principal components differentiate Northern and Southern Caucasoids. All Abkhazo-Adyghean groups except Cherkess are included in the larger cluster (2/3 of the samples), occupying a central position there. The Bzhedugs and Shapsugs show the “southernmost” characteristics, Abkhazians, Abazins, Kabardins, Abadzekhs and Chemguis being the “northernmost”. Cherkess group take a central position in the second cluster. Results of the study are discussed in the context of the population history of Caucasus.

Keywords

dermatoglyphics, Caucasus, Abhazo-Adygean peoples

Цит.: Heet Henriette DERMATOGLYPHICS OF ABKHAZO-ADYGHEAN PEOPLES OF THE CAUCASUS // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2014; 3/2014; с. 70-70