Body Length in Ancient and Modern Populations of Armenia

Abstract

This article studies with the epoch-making changes in osteometric features on the territory of Armenia. In the I and II periods, most of the individuals are characterized by a strong physique, the development of their musculoskeletal relief is associated with archery and horse riding. In the III period, the population of the ancient period is heterogeneous, some differences in physical development are traced. It is possibly due to the existence in populations of different directions in contacts. The results of the canonical and cluster analyzes demonstrate a certain similarity of the male group of the I period with modern Armenians. The population of the II and IV periods show a certain similarity with the above groups. The maximum differences are fixed with the characteristics of the III period. And the female group of the II period has a certain similarity with the individuals of the III period. The population of I and V periods show a certain similarity with the above groups. The maximum differences are fixed with the characteristics of the IV period. Epochal fluctuations in body length largely determine the level of inter-population variability and, obviously, are a manifestation of the microevolution process occurring in human populations.