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5. ON THE ORIGIN OF MEDIEVAL EAST SLAVIC TRIBES

ON THE ORIGIN OF MEDIEVAL EAST SLAVIC TRIBES

Movsesian Alla

Department of Anthropology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

Movsesian Alla, e-mail: amovsessyan@gmail.com.

Abstract

Nonmetric cranial trait frequencies in medieval East Slavic tribes and comparative samples from unrelated groups were examined. The aims of the study were as follows: (1) to assess the degree of biological affinity in medieval East Slavic tribes and to test the hypothesis that East Slavic peoples have a common origin; (2) to reveal their genetic affinities with the autochthonous (Baltic and Finno-Ugric) populations of northeastern Europe; and (3) to see if a genetic continuity existed between people of the Chernyakhov culture and medieval Eastern Slavs. Analyses of phenotypic differentiation were based on Nei’s standard genetic distance and hierarchical GST statistics. The results suggest that the genetic affinity of the East Slavic tribes is due not only to inter-tribal gene flow but, more importantly, to their common population history. Evidence of gene flow between the Baltic and Finno-Ugric groups was revealed in the gene pool of Eastern Slavs, as was genetic continuity between medieval East Slavic tribes and the preceding Chernyakhov population. These findings support a “generalizing” hypothesis of East Slavic origin whereby the Slavonic community was formed in a particular ancestral area and subsequently spread throughout Eastern Europe.

Keywords

East Slavs, Balts, Finno-Ugrians, Chernyakhov culture, cranial nonmetric traits

Цит.: Movsesian Alla ON THE ORIGIN OF MEDIEVAL EAST SLAVIC TRIBES // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2014; 3/2014; с. 75-75