An anthropological study of Transbaikal Neolithic sites (Pad Tokuy, Zhindo, and Ust-Menza 2)

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of osteological materials from Neolithic sites in the Krasnochikoysky area of the Chita region: Pad Tokuy, Zhindo, and Ust-Menza 2. Few anthropological finds of the Stone Age have been discovered on this territory, and thus exploring local burials is of particular importance for the understanding of human settlement in Eastern Siberia. In total, eight burials were investigated: five male ones, two female, and one of a child. Using a set of methods allowed the authors to extract interesting and valuable information despite the poor preservation of the bones found. For the first time, Transbaikal Neolithic materials were analysed, based on the programme of cranium growth analysis (Pestryakov, 1995). The author of the programme has developed a craniological classification of Homo sapiens and fossil finds, thanks to which it became possible to compare the studied population with other populations (both ancient and contemporary) and to put forward a hypothesis as to the origins of Homo sapiens and their possible descendants. The specific features of their appearance can be seen in the reconstructions presented which were made based on two whole male skulls. The visualisation of the Neolithic population's lifetime appearance significantly contributes to our understanding of the ethno-genesis of Siberian indigenous peoples. The craniological study conducted revealed the heterogeneity of the population that developed the archaeological sites in question. Both skulls are elongated and are relatively narrow, with the low calvaria. The forehead is sloping and is clearly relatively wide. The facial part is narrow and long, and is very flattened even by Mongolian standards. There is a noticeable tendency of having the combination of a long face shape and a low cerebral box. The orbits are low and are not wide. The nose is high and is relatively wide, with a moderately high nasal bridge. One of the skulls (from the Pad Tokuy site, burial 1) features an unusual combination of brain box sizes: very large longitudinal and transverse diameters and the very low calvaria. This combination of features has no analogies in the Neolithic and the later population of the region. The height of these two men is estimated to be about average by current standards and during their lifetime was equal to 167 cm for the individual from the Pad Tokuy site and to 166 cm for the one from the Zhindo burial. Their arm segments revealed significant differences. The former has the elongated forearm, whereas the latter's is shorter relative to his shoulder. Both men have more elongated tibias than those of Homo sapiens. Both have rather narrow shoulders. The height of the women found is average; the relief of their bones is significantly developed, indicating considerable physical exertion experienced by them during their lifetime. In all of the skeletons, there are signs of cold exposure.

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