ANTHROPOLOGY OF GULYUKOVSKY BURIAL GROUND ON THE BASIS OF CRANIOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Abstract

The paper features the results of craniological analysis of anthropological materials from Gulukovsky
burial ground (Menzelinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan). Two groups of burials diff ering in terms of
chronology and cultural traditions have been distinguished on the basis of the funeral rite information and
grave inventory. The fi rst group consists of pagan burials dating back to the Late Sarmatian period (4th century
A.D.), whereas the second and more numerous group is constituted by Muslim burials of the Pre-Mongol
period, which according to the authors were left by the population of the Chialik culture during its formation
period. Skulls of a boy and young woman dating back to the Late Sarmatian period are characterized by Caucasian
traits. They have no morphological analogies among the local Volga-Ural populations of the Final Iron
Age. The female skull features artifi cial deformation of the fronto-occipital type. A later craniological series
from Muslim burials is also generally characterized by a Caucasian complex of traits. It is most pronounced
in the male sculls. Female sculls are characterized by a Mongoloid infusion in the form of relatively fl attened
facial skeleton and a less pronounced nose protrusion. A comparison of the sculls with the series from later
Muslim necropoleis of the Chialik culture (Azmetevsky, Taktalachuksky, Derbeshkinsky) demonstrated that
the male skulls from Gulyukovsky burial ground appear more Caucasian as compared to others, and the female
sculls are more similar to them in terms of morphology.