Population of Tver in the 14th–17th centuries according to craniological data
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2026.5.310.324Keywords:
archaeology, craniometry, Tver, medieval population of European RussiaAbstract
This article presents a craniological study of paleoanthropological materials from two cemeteries in Tver (the necropolis from the territory of the Tver Kremlin, on the site of the reconstruction of the Khimik stadium; the necropolis at the church of Church of Alexis, a man of God from the territory of Zatmatsky posad). Statistical differences between male groups from different necropolises of Tver were identified based on specific craniological features, revealing a trend toward an increase in the maximum width of the cranial base and the transverse index. This indicates that the main chronological changes in cranial shape coincide with the trend of brachycephalization, whereas other features remained relatively stable, suggesting continuity in the urban population of Tver as well as processes characteristic of urbanization. Furthermore, the Tver series from the 14th to 17th centuries show similarities with series from Smolensk, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Novgorod, Yaroslavl and Moscow, indicating close historical trade and economic links. Female individuals from Tver across various chronological periods are characterized by high degree of morphological stability. The results of the study therefore confirm the continuity and relative stability of anthropological characteristics of Tver population from the 12th to the 17th centuries, as well as its close connection with neighboring urban and rural areas.
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