History of Paleoanthropological Study of the Middle Bronze Age Population of the Volga-Don Steppe: theoretical and methodological analysis

Abstract

The paper deals with the result of the theoretical and methodological research of scientific publications, dedicated to the paleoanthropological study of the Middle Bronze Age population of the Volga-Don steppes. The results of the analysis made it possible to establish the next: the methodological principles, prevailing in anthropological science, largely determined the specifics and conclusions of the research. In accordance with this, periodization of the historiography of the Catacomb culture of the Lower Volga region and adjacent territories was proposed, which includes two stages: morphotypological (1948–1964) and population-genetic (from 1964 to the present). The contribution of the Moscow and Leningrad anthropological schools to the development of the issues was evaluated. The works of Moscow anthropologists solved a dual problem: factual and methodological. The studies of Leningrad scientists were aimed at systematizing the material and developing issues of ethnic genesis. Analysis of modern historiography allowed us to identify the main trends in the study of the Catacomb culture. The methods of paleodemography, paleoecology, paleogenetics, etc. became an integral part of paleoanthropological studies. The basis of modern research remains the population-genetic race concept and the comprehensive study of anthropological material.

Keywords

• archaeology
• paleoanthropology
• history of science
• methodology
• bronze age
• volga-don steppe
• catacomb culture