Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
N.N. Miklukho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninski pr., 32a, Moscow, 119991, Russia
Kufterin Vladimir V., PhD, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7171-8998; vladimirkufterin@mail.ru.
The article outlines results of cranial non-metric traits (NMT) analysis in a Bronze Age craniological sample (Srubnaya and Alakul culture complexes) from Neplyuevsky cemetery (kurgan 1) in the Southern Trans-Urals. Different methods of counting of bilateral NMT frequencies are compared. Results of the comparative analysis of the studied sample with combined samples of Srubnaya and Andronovo cultures are discussed. Separately, various methods of “kinship analysis” using cranial NMT are tested. Materials and methods. Studied material includes 19 skulls of various degree of preservation, examined according to cranial non-metric program, which includes 38 traits (9 of them are unpaired and 29 paired). The frequencies of bilateral traits were counted in three different methods. In comparative analysis with the samples of Srubnaya culture of the Dnieper region and the Altai Andronovo culture, the frequencies were subjected to angular transformation. Comparison was carried out using Chi-square statistics and Smith’s “measure of divergence”. “Kinship analysis” of possible relatives according to the NMT distribution was carried out using methods based on the application of the Bayesian formula (author’s approach), the author’s modification of the Ullrich’s method [1969] and approaches proposed by Heinrich and Teschler-Nicola [1991], Cvrсek et al. [2018] as well. Results. It is noted that frequencies of at least 8 out of 36 NMT, using any method of calculation, exceed the upper limits of the global range of variations. For two traits, this is confirmed statistically when compared with samples of Srubnaya and Andronovo cultures. This fact does not exclude the assumption that burials from kurgan 1 belong to a group of relatives. According to results, the most optimal methods of paired NMT frequencies calculation is counting “per cranium” or “per right or left side” (especially in the case of highly fragmented material). Comparison of different methods of identifying individuals, between whom biological “kinship” is assumed, showed the similarity of results obtained using different approaches. Discussion. Judging by the distribution of NMT, the most likely biological “relatives” can be individuals from burials 2a(1) and 26, 2a(2) and 2b; as well as pairs of individuals 2b – 30 and 28(1) – 32(2), with the ectopic enamel of upper M2. Presented data will be verified with forthcoming results of aDNA analysis. As a recommendation for scholars involved in NMT studies, we can point out the need for detailed publication of primary data, not limited to the presentation of frequencies with total number of observations.
cranial phenetics; physical anthropology; “kinship” analysis; Srubnaya and Alakul culture complexes; Southern Trans-Urals
DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2020.1.123-136
Цит.: Kufterin V.V. Non-metric traits in cranial sample from Neplyuevsky cemetery (kurgan 1) and some aspects of intra-group analysis of phenetic data // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2020; 1/2020; с. 123-136
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