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Facial reconstructions of four of the major European phenotypes: the Mediterranid, the Alpinid, the Hallstatt Nordid, and the Ostbaltid.
Reconstructions commissioned by O.M.
The Mediterranid is one of the most continuous European phenotypes. The type known today was largely introduced by the ENF, though there were non ENF examples as well, such as the WHG Combe Capelle.
It features gracile traits, a long face, meso-doli CI, and a tanned complexion.
The Alpinid type is another deeply rooted European phenotype.
Alpinids are a reduced, gracilized Cro-Magnid (CM) type. Brachycephalic with a short, broad face, they are associated with the ENF and with CMs who underwent a reduction in their defining robust features.
Nordids differ little metrically from Mediterranids, with defining features of light pigmentation, a long face, and dolichocephaly.
Nordids were present among both the ENF and gracilized IEs. The Hallstatt Nordid is a mix of the Corded Nordid and Danubian Mediterranid types.
The Ostbaltid is one of the most recent types in Europe, arising during the Migration Period and becoming prevalent during the Little Ice Age.
They are unstable hybrids between Ladogans (moderately reduced CMs sometimes associated with EHGs) and Hallstatt Nordids.
Phenotype evolution in Europe has been a long and ongoing process. Some racial types were introduced through ancient migrations, while others resulted from unique local developments within Europe. And some, exhibit remarkable continuity over time.
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Facial reconstructions of two recently discovered 45,000-year-old late Neanderthal individuals from Corrèze, France.
Unearthed in the Grotte de la Placente, these remains reveal unprecedented traits and customs never before seen in Neanderthal specimens.🧵
Grotte de la Placente 2 carried the derived rs12821256 and rs12913832 alleles, associated with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Their presence predates the previously accepted TMRCA of ~35,000 years, challenging the consensus that these traits were exclusive to Homo sapiens.
Shockingly, the isotopic analysis of the Grotte de la Placente 2 molars indicates a childhood Scandinavia, most likely Norway, suggesting long-distance migration of previously undocumented northern Neanderthals.
This finding also challenges the notion of Neanderthal endogamy.
What did the Yamnaya and related Steppe populations look like? 🧵
Let's break down the morphology of the Yamnaya and explore which modern populations they most closely resemble.
Anthropologists classified the majority of Yamnaya as "Southeuropids" and "Paleoeuropids" – broad, non-ethnic classifications used for extinct populations.
Now, let's examine the typical morphological features of the Yamnaya, feature by feature:
Yamnaya were Doli-Meso.
This index measures cranial width to length and isn't related to facial robusticity, and has nothing to do with how "wide", "short/tall" your face is.
Today, people in West Eurasia with most similar CI are found Northern and Southern Europe.
Facial reconstructions of two Eastern Scythians from Arzhan 2, an early Scythian period site.
The Scythians of Arzhan 2 exhibited a mix of Caucasoid and Mongoloid morphological traits, with Caucasoid features usually predominating in males and Mongoloid features in females.
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The Scythian (Arzhan 2, Burial 20) possesses a high degree of Caucasoid traits, including a pronounced nasal bridge, lack of facial flatness, and a prominent brow ridge.
This Scythian (Arzhan 2, Burial 26) has a flat face with cheeks close to the nasal bone, a weak brow, and a weak nasal bridge.
He likely possesses a much higher amount of Khovsgol or Slab Grave ancestry, explaining his mongoloid morphology, which was more typical among females.