Anthropological Characteristics of Human Remains from the Koptam Mausoleum Complex in Western Kazakhstan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2026.5.325.339Keywords:
archaeology, anthropology, Western Kazakhstan, Jochi Ulus, mausoleums, Islam, craniology, osteometryAbstract
The article presents the results of craniological and osteometric analyses of anthropological materials from two brick mausoleums of the Koptam complex, located in the Aktobe region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on their architectural features and burial customs, the mausoleums date to the 13th – 14th centuries, whereas the radiocarbon date indicates the middle of the 13th century. According to the results of a visual typological analysis, it was established that the studied sample includes crania of the Caucoid, Mongoloid and mixed physical appearance. Intergroup analysis shows that the female skulls from Koptam fall within the main range of variation characteristic of populations of the Jochi Ulus from different regions. The female postcranial skeletons are distinguished by a more gracile constitution, whereas the male skeleton are characterized by greater robusticity of the long bones. At the same time, all individuals display a well-developed relief at the muscle attachment sites, indicating substantial physical activity during life. The publication of individual craniometrics and osteometric data expands the source base for the paleoanthropological study of the population of the Golden Horde period in Western Kazakhstan.
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