Artificially Deformed Skulls of Medieval Period from Azerbaijan

Abstract

The paper represents craniological materials of the Middle Ages. The two skulls with head shaping have been submitted for scientific processing. The male skull with traits of fronto-occipital in combination with circular artificial cranial deformation was found in burial 65-25 of Samukh necropolis XIV–XVII centuries (Samukh district). The skull is hyperdolichocranial, Caucasoid with slight Mongoloid taint. The second artificially deformed skull (139/197) belonged to a female and was found in one of the medieval burials from western districts of republic. The skull is mesocranial, Caucasoid+Mongoloid. The parietal in combination with type of head shaping was marked on this skull. This type of artificial deformation was found in Azerbaijan for the first time. The tradition of artificial head modification in medieval period should be considered as brought from outside. Perhaps this custom, together with its bearers, came here from Central Asia during the existence of the Golden Horde (XIII–XV centuries), or during the military campaigns of Tamerlane (1370–1405) and his descendants. The paper also represents the finds of artificially deformed skulls of synchronous time from the territory of Eurasia (Volga region, Balkan Peninsula, Crimea, Central Asia, Anatolia). Gradually, during the late Middle Ages – modern era, the tradition of modifying the head decreased and disappeared.

Keywords

• archaeology
• azerbaijan
• artificial cranial deformation (head shaping)
• medieval period
• craniometry