Lomonosov Journal of Antropology. 2026. 1.

The aim of this study was to assess preferences for sexual dimorphism in four somatic traits (height, muscle development, physical strength, and fat deposition) among males and females across eight populations differing in origin, culture, socio-economic and ecological conditions.

Materials and Methods. The sample consisted of 1501 individuals (610 males and 891 females) aged 17 to 39 years (mean age: 20.8 ± 4.3), representing eight populations residing in Russia: Buryats, Yakuts, Kalmyks, Tuvans, Kabardians, Balkars, and Russians (from Moscow and Tula). Data were collected from 2022 to 2024. To assess preferences for sexually dimorphic traits an author’s questionnaire was utilized.

Results and Discussion. In all samples, both men and women found pronounced sexual dimorphism in height, following generally accepted “male-taller norm”, to be attractive. The majority of men preferred slender women with low muscle development and physical strength, while women favored physically strong men with well-developed musculature. Population differences in anthropoaesthetic preferences were revealed. Kalmyks, Kabardians, and Balkars considered pronounced sexual dimorphism in height, musculature, and physical strength to be more attractive, whereas Yakuts and Russians from Moscow expressed less definitive preferences. In nearly all male groups, consistent associations were found between preferences for sexual dimorphism in height and physical strength, as well as muscle development and fat deposition. The most robust associations in female groups pertained to preferences for sexual dimorphism in height and physical strength, as well as muscle development and physical strength.

Conclusion. The identified anthropoaesthetic preferences related to the expression of sexually dimorphic traits across various somatic criteria reflect universal and culturally specific ideas about physical attractiveness, shaped by evolutionary and sociocultural factors.

Funding. The study has been supported by the Russian Science Foundation (RSF), project No. 23-18-00277.

Introduction. The article discusses the possibilities of applying the index method for comparing osteological series in anthropology. It evaluates how reliable the conclusions drawn from calculated indicators are, in comparison with the analysis of original morphological traits.

Materials and methods. Two male osteological series from the necropolis at the Corpus Christi Church in Nesvizh, Belarus, were examined in this study: 1) native and disturbed burials around the church (presumably 18th century); 2) dispersed bones from under the crypt floor (presumably 17th century). Several indices were calculated based on standard osteometric measurements. The interpretation of index values was carried out using literary sources. The significance of differences between the series was assessed using Student’s t-test; the results were visualized through radar charts.

Results. The values of several indices for both series (morphological width of the scapula, robustness of the humerus, radius, femur, and ulna from the crypt series, as well as most diaphyseal cross‑sectional indices) fall within the range of variation of modern human group averages. Some indices exceed these averages (robustness of the tibiae and right clavicles in both series; robustness of the right ulna from the cemetery series). The series show statistically significant differences in the following indices: robustness of the right humeri; cross‑sectional indices at the mid‑diaphysis of both femora; indices at the upper diaphysis of both ulnae; cross‑sectional index at the mid‑diaphysis of the left tibia.

Discussion. The analysis showed that indices provide a less pronounced picture of differences compared to the original osteometric measurements. This is due to the specifics of the calculation: an index, as a percentage ratio of a smaller dimension to a larger one, can mask real morphological differences. Moreover, the lack of clear categorization schemes for many indices complicates their interpretation.

Conclusion. The index method, without taking into account the mean values of the original osteometric measurements, cannot serve as the fundamental approach for identifying similarities or differences between osteological series. The undeniable advantages of the index method are its simplicity and convenience. However, it is necessary to work on developing categorization schemes for postcranial skeletal indices using large datasets. The results of comparing the studied series using indices do not contradict the conclusions obtained from the analysis of absolute bone dimensions. The possibility of heterogeneous formation of the two parts of the necropolis is not refuted.

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Introduction. Sex determination of individuals fr om postcranial skeletal bones is a significant task in paleoanthropology and forensic medicine, particularly when skull and pelvic bones are fragmented or absent. The traditional osteometric approach, based on sexual dimorphism in size characteristics, requires consideration of population specificity and is continuously being refined. The aim of this review is to systematize and analyze modern methods for sex determination based on osteometric data from postcranial skeletal bones.

Materials and Methods. This review analyzes contemporary scientific publications dedicated to methods of sex determination from the postcranial skeleton. Three main methodological approaches are considered: methods based on univariate statistics (analysis of individual metric traits), methods of multivariate statistics (discriminant analysis, logistic regression), as well as modern technologies, including the use of computed tomography (CT) data for 3D reconstructions and the application of machine learning algorithms (specifically, deep learning) for bone image analysis.

Results and discussion. Univariate methods retain practical value due to their simplicity of application and suitability for working with fragmented material, although their accuracy is typically lower than that of multivariate methods. Multivariate statistical models, which account for a complex of interrelated traits, ensure higher accuracy in sex determination. A key factor influencing the reliability of any method is its population specificity—applying models developed for one population to another leads to a significant reduction in accuracy. The integration of CT data and artificial intelligence methods opens new prospects for automation, increased objectivity, and the discovery of new diagnostic features.

Conclusion. Modern methods for sex determination from the postcranial skeleton constitute an evolving toolkit, wh ere traditional univariate approaches are effectively complemented by complex multivariate models and innovative technologies. To ensure high result reliability, the development and validation of population-specific standards are necessary. The future of the field is linked to the further integration of 3D visualization and machine learning methods, which will enhance the accuracy, speed, and objectivity of expert identification.

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Introduction. The differences between bioimpedance instruments, electrodes, measurement techniques, and data processing algorithms raise questions about the consistency of bioimpedance data and body composition estimates. This study aims to compare the results of measurements taken with various bioimpedance devices and electrode types, including those used in Russian health centers.

Material and methods. Bioimpedance measurements were conducted on 20 adult volunteers, 10 women and 10 men, aged between 21 and 54 years. Four instruments were used in the study: ABC-01 "Medas" (SRC Medas, Moscow), Diamant-AIST (Diamant LLC, St. Petersburg), the prototype bioimpedance analyzer as part of the "Zdorovye-Express" hardware and software system with EK6C-03-"CARDi2/4" cardio amplifier (Medical Computer Systems LLC, Moscow, Zelenograd) and Tanita MC-780MA (Tanita, Japan). Eight types of disposable electrodes were used with the ABC-01 "Medas" instrument: Ambu White Sensor 0415M (Ambu, Denmark), Bianostic AT (Data Input, Germany), Eurotrode PFR2034 (Pirrone srl, Italy), F9049 / RU2234 TAB (FIAB, Italy), Schiller Biotabs 23x34 mm (Schiller, Switzerland), Skintact RT-34 (Leonhard Lang GmbH, Austria), TopTrace MedTab (Ceracarta, Italy), and 2100 Swaro-tab (Tyrolmed, Austria). Two types of reusable electrodes, manufactured by Diamant LLC and Medical Computer Systems (MCS) LLC, were used with the Diamant-AIST and Zdorovye-Express instruments. Electric properties of the bioadhesive electrodes were assessed using a sandwich test. A comparison of the data obtained from volunteers using different bioimpedance instruments and electrodes was conducted using the Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired observations, as well as one-way analysis of variance, with a significance level set at p=0.05.

Results and discussion. Our study showed the presence of significant inter-instrument differences in bioelectrical parameters and body composition estimates. The maximum difference in the average value of fat-free mass and body fat between the ABC-01 "Medas", Diamant-AIST and Tanita MC-780MA instruments was 2.8 kg for men and 2.2 kg for women, whereas for the percentage body fat it was 3.9% for men and 3.7% for women. There were also significant deviations in body composition estimates obtained with the Zdorovye-Express analyzer compared to estimates from the other instruments. The BIA measurements data using the ABC-01 "Medas" instrument and the types of disposable bioadhesive electrodes commonly used in Russian Health Centers were in good agreement, despite the wide variation in electrical properties of the electrodes (their intrinsic impedance ranged from 96.8 ohm for 2100 Swaro-tab to 694.3 ohm for Eurotrode PFR2034). However, compared to the reference Bianostic AT electrodes, which had an intrinsic impedance of 18.9 ohm, the subgroups of women and men showed an average overestimation of 0.15 degrees in phase angle, while the subgroup of men also showed an overestimation in fat-free mass and an underestimation in fat mass, averaging between 0.3 and 0.4 kilograms. When comparing the reusable electrodes from Diamant LLC and MCS LLC, there were no significant differences in the bioelectrical parameters or body composition estimates in the study group.

Conclusion. To directly compare the results of measurements from different BIA instruments, their preliminary mutual calibration is necessary. The bioimpedance data obtained in Russian Health Centers using the ABC-01 "Medas" instrument and the specified types of disposable bioadhesive electrodes can be combined and analyzed together subject to the measurement procedure being followed. The reusable electrodes for bioimpedance measurements produced by Diamant LLC and Medical Computer Systems LLC are effectively interchangeable.

Funding. The study was performed at the Federal State Budgetary Institution "RIH" (“Russian research Institute of Health”) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation within the framework of the Russian Science Foundation project No. 20-15-00386 (directed by V.I. Starodubov).

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University (Godina E.Z., Zadorozhnaya L.V., Khomyakova I.A., Permiakova E.Yu.)The authors would like to thank the management and staff of Medical Computer Systems LLC (Zelenograd), and personally I.S. Reshetnikov and D.A. Prilutsky, for their help in organizing and conducting the study.

Introduction. The article presents the results of a study on the physical development of students in Yaroslavl, in order to identify regional peculiarities.

Materials and methods. The study for young people encompassed 661 male and 743 female participants aged 18-21. The students' body dimensions (length, weight), body perimeters (waist, hip circumferences) were measured. Physical development indices were calculated to assess body weight (ratio of body weight to square of body length), abdominal obesity (ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference), and central fat deposition (ratio of waist circumference to body length).

Results and discussion. Young men aged 18-21, in contrast to young women, are characterized by continued growth processes and an increase in total body size and trunk circumference. Among their peers from other regions of the Central Federal District, Yaroslavl young men stand out for their high height – 179.8 cm, while young women have an average of 165.9 cm. Body weight and body mass index in young men are 76.1 kg and 23.5 kg/m², and in young women – 59.9 kg and 21.8 kg/m², respectively. Body weight deficiency is observed in 19.3% of young men and 17.2% of young women. Interestingly, among Yaroslavl adolescents, body weight deficiency is more common in young men and less common in young women than in their peers from other regions. Overweight and obesity were diagnosed in 30.0% of young men and 15.2% of young women. The android type of fat deposition is typical for 17.6% of young men and 17.2% of young women. The proportion of men and women with the central type of fat deposition was 18.3% and 15.8%, respectively. The perimeters of the body in both sex groups do not significantly differ from those of their peers from other regions.

Conclusion. Based on the total body size, body parameters, and physical development indices obtained from an anthropometric survey of young people aged 18-21 in Yaroslavl, these tables can be useful for conducting social and hygienic monitoring among Yaroslavl youth.

Introduction. Expanding and refining the gene-geographic pattern of FTO (rs9939609) is a urgent task, as A*FTO allele is associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Accumulating data on FTO allele frequencies in population groups with different traditional nature management and dietary patterns is also important.

Study objective: to characterize the frequency distribution of A*FTO (rs9939609) allele in indigenous populations of northern Western Siberia.

Materials and methods. The total sample (N=171) included Northern Khanty (N=90), Sosva Mansi (N=31), and Yamal
Nenets (N=50). Genotyping of genomic DNA isolated from blood samples was performed for FTO rs9939609.

The results demonstrate similar allele and genotype frequencies across the West Siberian samples. The average frequency of *A allele in northern Western Siberian populations is 0.377. The frequencies of *A allele and AA*FTO genotype were not significantly different between individuals from different ethnic samples (Khanty, Mansi, and Nenets), p>0.05.

Discussion. The studied groups are characterized by a low carriage rate of risk variants of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism. Khanty, Mansi, and Yamal Nenets samples do not differ in the frequencies of A* allele and AA*FTO genotype and are close to those described in the Taz Nenets (Baturin et al., 2017), Kalmyks, and Mongols, although they are significantly (p<0.05) lower than in the Altaians and Russians (Bondareva et al., 2018).

Conclusion. The distribution of A*FTO allele in our samples corresponds to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, while the Spearman's rank correlations between the population frequencies of FTO genotypes with the geographic latitude and climatic characteristics of the 16 Eurasian regions do not reach the significance level (p>0.2). It can be assumed that FTO rs9939609 is not involved in the high-latitude adaptation in modern populations.

The specific distribution of alleles and genotypes of FTO rs9939609 in populations of different racial groups and adaptive types requires expanding the geographic coverage and involving extensive material.

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University (Vasileva A.A., Kozlov A.I., Vershubskaya G.G.) and the State assignment of Research Center for Medical Genetics.

Introduction. Malnourishment plays a substantial role in the world's mortality rates, especially among old and children. Even though malnutrition mortality among adult women dropped greatly between 1990 and 2021, maternal health is still a matter of concern. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status among adults belonging to four Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Chhattisgarh, India, through Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) as a major indicator.

Materials and Methods. The cross-sectional survey was carried out from 2020 to 2024 in 272 adult women belonging to the Abujhmadia, Baiga, Birhor, and Hill Korwa tribes. Prior to data collection, participant consent was received with the measurement of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference at the middle of the upper arm. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests were used for data analysis in comparing the mean Mid-Upper Arm Circumference in different age groups.

Results. The results indicated that the Abujhmadia cluster had the greatest prevalence of undernutrition at 82.7%, followed by Hill Korwa (77.3%), Baiga (75.5%), and Birhor (60%). Important age-specific patterns in the prevalence of undernutrition were observed, especially within the 18-27 age groups.

Discussion. Mid-upper arm circumference is a valid and affordable tool for determining nutritional status in low-resource environments. It brings to light the nutritional plight of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), necessitating the implementation of specific public health interventions to tackle these problems.

Conclusion. The findings of the study highlight the need for immediate nutritional intervention programs for PVTGs in Chhattisgarh. Identification of their special nutritional needs can considerably enhance health outcomes and mitigate malnutrition in these vulnerable groups.

Acknowledgments. The authors appreciate the time taken by the female participants for participating in this study. We also appreciate the administrative help from the community workers, panchayat staff of all four communities. Authors were also thankful to University administration for their continuous motivation and promotion of research.

Introduction. The goal of study is analysis of correlations of age at menarche and age at peak height velocity (PHV).

Material and methods. The study is based on material of longitudinal study of Moscow schoolgirls aged 8-17 years, examined through 1960-1969. The number of participants is 141 girls, observed once a year at one and the same calendar time (spring). The program includes 3 somatic traits – height, weight, chest girth, – calculated BMI and age at menarche, fixed up to month.

Results. Age at peak height velocity (PHV) strictly precedes age at menarche. The faster is somatic growth, the lower is the age at menarche. The individual dynamics of weight increase has no such strict correspondence with the age at menarche, while dynamics of BMI increase has fluctuating random character. Correlations of peak height velocity (PHV) age with age at menarche have significant value 0,73, while correlations of PHV level are significantly less (-0,37). The level of correlations of the age at menarche with the absolute values of height and weight in one-year age groups through the interval 8-17 years is almost the same, the dynamics of correlations coincides up to the 13 years of age, further on smoothly decrease for weight, being still significant, but falls sharply for height, being insignificant at 15-17 years.

Conclusion. High correlations of age at menarche and peak height velocity (PHV) age coincide with the fact that both indicators have unified genetic regulation, according to the world literary data. The coincidence of morphological and genetic conformities allows to postulate high informativeness of morphological level of variability. Also we conclude that peak height velocity (PHV) is a strict distinct trigger of age at menarche and the important marker of biological age.

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Introduction. The formation of the definitive body height is determined by genetic and environmental factors. An urgent task is the intersystem analysis of the relationships between the secular dynamics of body height and changes in socio-economic and demographic indicators over time. A similar model of relationships was developed for changes in the body height of the Russian population in the second half of the 20th century based on time fluctuations in socio-economic and demographic indicators. The purpose of this work is to test the performance of the all-Russian model on regional materials - to analyze general trends and identify features using the example of four large Russian cities.

Materials and Methods. The materials were time series of anthropometric, socio-economic and demographic indicators from open sources. The height data used in the study were collected by the authors in 2020-2024 during a survey of young people aged 17-23 in four Russian cities: Barnaul, Moscow, Petrozavodsk and Krasnodar. Body height for demographic cohorts from 1930-39 to the early 2000s. birth was obtained from literature sources.

Results and Discussion. It is shown that the variability of height in individual cities and federal districts is similar to the all-Russian one. In the first half of the 20th century, there was a sharp increase in the definitive height, after which the rate of increase declined and then reached a plateau. For the modern cohort of those examined (born in 2000-2006), a decrease in height was noted in some large cities.

Conclusion. Testing the regression model of the all-Russian secular trend in height in connection with changes in socio-economic and demographic indicators over time using regional data showed similar results. The identified regional features may be due to the different-time dynamics of changes in socio-economic conditions. A slight decrease in height in some cities of Russia among young people born in 2000-2006 may indicate a change in the direction of the secular trend, which confirms the general biological hypothesis about the wave-like nature of the trans-epochal dynamics of definitive height.

Funding. The study has been supported by the Russian Science Foundation (RSF), project No.23-18-00086.

Introduction. Child overweight demonstrates a catastrophic spread across all economically developed countries of the world, despite global efforts for its prevention. The aim of this research paper was to analyze predictors of overweight, the consequences of its development, and approaches to its prevention in children.

Materials and Methods. To analyze the current state of knowledge on excess weight in children aged 3-12 years, materials from 168 literature sources from the PubMed database were used. The inclusion criteria for a source were representative samples and the availability of quantitative data for children in the age range from 3 to 12 years, characterizing one or another aspect of the problem of excess weight. The information search was conducted in the following areas: "preschool and primary school children", "overweight and/or obesity", "diet", "screen time", "sedentary lifestyle", "sleep quality", "physical (muscular) performance", "physical fitness", "physical (motor) activity", "environmental influence".

Results and discussion In Report 1, the role of low physical activity, distribution of time for different types of activity, improper diet, eating behavior, meal structure, and regularity was systematized.

Conclusion. The materials reviewed in Report 1 demonstrate the global distribution of overweight and obesity, and highlight the significant role of low physical activity in creating conditions for the development of overweight and metabolic syndrome in childhood. Even a slight reallocation of time during the day, with just a 10% increase in time spent on active movement, can alleviate the severity of the problem and prevent the development of overweight in significant segments of the child population. An improper diet, particularly the regular consumption of sweetened beverages by children, also contributes significantly to the development of overweight. Other aspects of the overweight problem in children, including the role of the environment, family, and socio-economic factors, will be discussed in Report 2.

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of № 073-00070-25-03 от 29.05.2025

Introduction. The analysis of ancient populations economic systems using natural science methods is an acknowledged source of independent historical information. One of the possible directions of such research is making bioarchaeological reconstructions of nutritional features. At the same time, the development of such models makes it possible to identify the ways and timing of cultivated cereals distribution, often associated with a certain lifestyle and economic structure. This publication is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the chronological trend in food culture and agriculture development in the Don forest-steppe region territory in Early Iron Age. The new data is considered in the context of steppe and forest-steppe Eurasia culturally similar series.

Materials and methods. To construct a nutrition model bioarchaeological reconstruction, a method of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (d¹³C and d¹⁵N) variability in human and animal bones collagen analysis was used. Student and Mann-Whitney tests were applied to verify the statistical significance of the differences when comparing individual values in different groups. The study was carried out with introduction to scientific use of new data on the variability of isotopic composition in samples representing the VIII century BC - IV century AD regional population. Due to the Volkhonsky Vyselki monument materials, the series of d¹³C and d¹⁵N values for the buried dating back to the pre-Scythian period has been increased. For the first time, a representative individual data series on the d¹³C and d¹⁵N variability in bone collagen of individuals from of Sarmatian period kurgan graves has been obtained. The archeozoological materials were analyzed relate to grave goods or funeral feast remains discovered during the excavations of the Middle Don region Sarmatian burial mounds.

Results. The isotopic composition of collagen is interpreted in chronological dynamics, compared with funerary traditions and data known for other anthropological series of steppe and forest-steppe Eurasia. Based on an expanded series of d¹³C and d¹⁵N individual values, the previously expressed assumptions about the nature of nutritional and farming traditions in the region were verified.

Conclusion. A hypothesis is put forward about sustainable parallel existence of two food models in the forest-steppe region of Early Iron Age: those peculiar to nomads and settlement dwellers. A possible path of millet (Panicum miliaceum) distribution to the territory of Don river forest-steppe region is suggested.

Acknowledgements. The authors express their sincere gratitude to A.P. Medvedev; to V.D. Berezutsky, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Russian History, Voronezh State Pedagogical University; and to A.S. Zheludkov, researcher at the Lipetsk Regional Scientific Public Organization (LRSPO) “Archaeological Research,” for providing the anthropological materials. The authors also thank V.I. Danilevskaya, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Contextual Anthropology, for conducting collagen sample preparation.

Funding. This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (RSF), grant no. 24-18-004101, “Problems of Mobility Studies in Sedentary and Nomadic Societies Based on Isotopic Analysis of Paleoanthropological Materials.”

Introduction. The study focuses on the dental morphology analysis of three individuals from Hunnic-period burials in Crimea (Ust-Alma and Belyaus necropolises). This study builds upon previous publication of the archaeological context and craniological analysis of these individuals (Khodyreva, Shkribliak, 2023).

Materials and methods. The research material consisted of two well-preserved skeletons (a male 20–25 years old and a female over 55 years old) from Hunnic-period burials at the Ust-Alma settlement necropolis, as well as the skull of a child aged 10–11 years from an ancient crypt at the Belyaus settlement. For all skulls, an analysis of dental and maxillofacial pathologies and non-metric dental traits was conducted. The individuals from Ust-Alma were also examined for the presence of traumas, pathologies, and developmental anomalies of the skeletal bones.

Results. The results of the dental analysis revealed the presence, in varying combinations, of traits associated with the Eastern dental complex (e.g., shoveling, hypocone expression, deflective wrinkle) and those characteristic of Western complexes (e.g., Carabelli's cusp). This indicates a mixed ancestry of the studied individuals. The paleopathological analysis of the male's postcranial skeleton revealed a series of entheseal changes, which may testify to high physical activity associated with horse riding and archery, consistent with historical data on the Huns.

Conclusion. The obtained results are in agreement with craniological data and confirm the anthropological heterogeneity of the Hunnic-period population in Crimea. The publication of individual dental morphological data from these rare finds is considered crucial for building a comparative database. This will enable a more comprehensive statistical analysis in the future, upon the discovery of new Hunnic burials, and will help clarify the micro-evolutionary processes associated with Hunnic migrations and their interaction with local populations.

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University

Introduction. Skeletal assemblages from securely dated, closed archaeological contexts are an invaluable resource for bioarchaeological reconstructions of health and lifestyle in past populations. Objective: To conduct a comprehensive paleopathological analysis of the skeletal collection from the Vologda necropolis (second half of the 15th – first half of the 16th centuries).

Materials and Methods. The skeletal material originates from a necropolis excavated in 2022 at 12 Leningradskaya St., Vologda. The excavation area of 166 m² revealed 121 burials dating to the 2nd half of the 15th – 1st half of the 16th centuries. The paleopathological analysis of the adult sample (N=44) was performed using standard macroscopic and radiographic methods; Fisher's exact test was employed for inter-group frequency comparisons.

Results. Pronounced sex-related differences in the patterns of pathology were identified. The male sample exhibits a high prevalence of traumatic injuries (67.9%), with rib fractures being the most common type (42.9%). In the female sample, trauma prevalence is lower (33.3%) and lesions are confined to the distal limb elements. Among degenerative diseases, a notably high prevalence of Schmorl's nodes were found in the female sample (80.0%). A non-significant trend towards a higher prevalence of dental caries was observed in the female sample (55.6%) compared to the male sample (29.2%). Isolated cases of severe infectious and systemic diseases were also recorded in both groups.

Discussion. The trauma profile in males suggests a high level of involvement in interpersonal conflict. Patterns of degenerative changes in the spine suggest a sex-based division of labor. The high prevalence of Schmorl's nodes in females is a striking feature, as its etiology is complex and may relate not only to activity but also to constitutional and genetic factors. Conversely, males exhibit only a non-significant trend towards more pronounced arthrosis and spondylarthrosis, possibly related to physical stress.

Conclusion. The analysis of this well-contextualized skeletal assemblage from Vologda has enabled a detailed reconstruction of the health profile of an urban population during its emergence as a significant military and administrative center.

Acknowledgements. This study was carried out as part of the research project of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, “The Ancient and Medieval Population of the European Part of Russia in the Context of Cultural Development and Genetic Dynamics” (State Registration No. 124050700063-0).

Introduction. The population of the city of Astrakhan has been formed from quite heterogeneous groups from the very moment of its founding in 1558, both anthropologically and confessionally. Anthropological studies of the region are very important for understanding the migration processes that contributed to the formation of the city.

Materials and Methods. The material studied was discovered in the territory of the Blagoveshchensky Women's Monastery during the work of the archaeological expedition in 2022. The analyzed sample represents a Europoid population from excavations at the Blagoveshchensky Monastery (9 male skulls, 7 female). A standard craniological study was conducted on both the male and female parts of the sample. Canonical analysis was applied. Contour and graphic portraits-reconstructions were created for four male and two female skulls using M.M. Gerasimov's method.

Results and discussion. The craniological study revealed some increased variability in a number of traits, indicating the heterogeneity of the group. The male series is characterized by brachycephaly. The faces are wide at the level of the forehead, cheekbones, and lower jaw. The female sample shows mesocephaly, and like that of the males, has large facial breadth measurements. The male sample from the territory of the Blagoveshchensky Monastery in Astrakhan was found at the center of the graph surrounded by series from necropolises near monasteries in the Upper Volga region.

Conclusion. The studied sample is characterized by average craniological parameter values typical for late medieval Eastern European populations. The gallery of portraits presented in the article demonstrates the range of variability in the appearance of late medieval populations in Astrakhan. Based on the conducted craniological analysis and completed reconstructions of appearance, we can conclude that the studied group is somewhat heterogeneous within the Europoid race and can be classified as a Central European variant.

Funding. The study was carried out within the framework of the Russian Science Foundation and Belorussian Republican Foundation for fundamental research grant № 23-48-10011 «Bioarchaeological reconstruction of the lifestyle and physical characteristics of the medieval population of Belarus and the European part of Russia».