An anthropological study of mummified remains from the zeleny yar cemetery on the Lower Ob, Western Siberia

Abstract

Zeleny Yar is a cemetery situated 40 km east of Salekhard, Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YNAO). Human re mains of 43 individuals from 37 graves have been described so far. Mummifi ed remains were discovered in eight graves dating to the 12th or 13th centuries. We outline the results of a computed-tomography analysis of the bestpreserved mummy--that of a male from grave 27. On the basis of an examination of endocranial sutures, the individual's age was estimated at 45-55. Dental pathology includes caries with consecutive apical periodontitis, and osteoarthritis of the left temporomandibular joint. Also, the examination revealed injuries and degenerativedystrophic postcranial lesions. To analyze the individual's physical type and reconstruct his face, a plastic cast of the cranium was modeled using 3D-modeling technique. The male had a Mongoloid appearance. Specifi cally, he can be attributed to the Yamal-Yenisei local variant of the West Siberian race. The modern representatives of this type are the Nenets of the Siberian tundra.