THE ORIGIN OF THE EARLY NOMADIC POPULATIONS OF TUVA: CRANIOMETRICAL EVIDENCE

The study addresses cranial variation in several samples from Early Nomadic burial grounds in central Tuva representing early (middle and late 7th cent. BC) and late (5th-4th cent. BC) stages of the Aldy-Bel culture (Arzhan-2 and Kopto, respectively), the Uyuk-Sagly culture (6th-4th cent. BC), and the period transitional to the Hunnu age (Dogeh-Baary II, late 3rd cent. BC). Affnities with diverse population groups can be traced throughout the Scythian period. The results suggest that the Uyuk-Sagly populations descended from those associated with the Mongun-Taiga culture. The Aldy-Bel group from Arzhan-2 was probably related to the Early Scythian population of Gorny Altai.