Anthropometry of Moscow Youth (Aged 17–18)
Ethnic Russians, Moscow. Data from the textbook “Fundamentals of Anthropometry” (2017) by M.A. Negasheva.
Comparative analysis with Nordic types (C. Coon, H. Günther) and measurement ranges of the Corded (Eastern Nordic) type.
Comparative analysis with Nordic types (C. Coon, H. Günther) and measurement ranges of the Corded (Eastern Nordic) type.
📏 Measured traits of Muscovites (mean values)
Males (N = 570–807)
| Trait | Mean ± SD | Index / shape |
|---|---|---|
| Stature (cm) | 177.9 ± 6.3 | — |
| Body mass (kg) | 68.0 ± 10.9 | — |
| Head length (mm) | 194.2 ± 7.0 | — |
| Head breadth (mm) | 150.5 ± 6.1 | — |
| Cephalic index | 77.5 | mesocephaly |
| Bizygomatic diameter (mm) | 136.0 ± 6.7 | — |
| Morphological facial height (mm) | 125.6 ± 7.2 | — |
| Facial index | 92.4 | leptoprosopy |
| Nasal height (mm) | 57.7 ± 4.9 | — |
| Nasal breadth (mm) | 34.7 ± 2.8 | — |
| Nasal index | 60.1 | leptorrhiny |
Females (N = 910–1160)
| Trait | Mean ± SD | Index / shape |
|---|---|---|
| Stature (cm) | 165.9 ± 5.8 | — |
| Body mass (kg) | 56.8 ± 8.1 | — |
| Head length (mm) | 185.4 ± 6.6 | — |
| Head breadth (mm) | 145.2 ± 5.8 | — |
| Cephalic index | 78.3 | mesocephaly |
| Bizygomatic diameter (mm) | 130.5 ± 5.7 | — |
| Morphological facial height (mm) | 117.7 ± 6.2 | — |
| Facial index | 90.2 | leptoprosopy |
| Nasal height (mm) | 55.1 ± 4.6 | — |
| Nasal breadth (mm) | 32.0 ± 2.7 | — |
| Nasal index | 58.1 | leptorrhiny |
🎨 Pigmentation of Muscovites (according to V.V. Bunak, anthropology of Russians)
Eye colour (Bunak scale)
Light (9–12): 42.7%
— predominantly grey (№9), blue and grey‑blue.
Mixed (5–8): 48.9%
— predominantly green‑brown (№5) and green‑grey (№7).
Dark (1–4): 8.4% (brown №3).
Light (9–12): 42.7%
— predominantly grey (№9), blue and grey‑blue.
Mixed (5–8): 48.9%
— predominantly green‑brown (№5) and green‑grey (№7).
Dark (1–4): 8.4% (brown №3).
Hair colour (Fischer scale)
Light (A–P): 33.7% (ash‑blond, golden, light brown)
Mixed (S–U): 52.7% (brown, medium brown)
Dark (W–Y): 14.2% (dark brown, black).
Light (A–P): 33.7% (ash‑blond, golden, light brown)
Mixed (S–U): 52.7% (brown, medium brown)
Dark (W–Y): 14.2% (dark brown, black).
⚠️ Pigmentation data are taken from the classic work of V.V. Bunak on the anthropology of Russians (mid‑20th century).
Modern Muscovites (2017 data) may have become slightly darker compared to Bunak’s samples, but the overall distribution remains similar.
🧬 Visual examples: Russian appearance of Muscovites (17–19 y.o.)
Male morph (averaged portrait)
based on Moscow sample
based on Moscow sample
Female morph (averaged portrait)
based on Moscow sample
based on Moscow sample
📐 Nordic (Corded / Eastern Nordic) type measurement ranges
Classic ranges for the Corded type (based on C. Coon, R. Martin, Corded Ware culture data).
Trait ranges and compliance of modern Muscovites (males)
| Trait | Nordic (Corded) range | Muscovites (mean) | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalic index | 70–77 (dolichocephaly – mesocephaly) | 77.5 | partial (upper limit) |
| Head length (mm) | 190–215 | 194.2 | yes |
| Head breadth (mm) | 140–155 | 150.5 | yes |
| Facial index | 88–100 (leptoprosopy) | 92.4 | yes |
| Bizygomatic diameter (mm) | up to 140 (small width) | 136.0 | yes |
| Nasal index | up to 70 (leptorrhiny) | 60.1 | yes |
| Facial height (morph., mm) | 120–150+ | 125.6 | yes |
| Forehead shape | strongly sloping | moderately sloping | close, not extreme |
| Occipital shape | strongly projecting | moderately projecting | partial |
| Pigmentation (eyes/hair) | light / mixed | predominantly mixed | close (with darkening) |
Conclusion on ranges: Modern Muscovites fit the Nordic (Corded) ranges for most metric traits (head length/breadth, facial and nasal indices, bizygomatic diameter). The main difference is the cephalic index at the upper boundary (mesocephaly instead of classic dolichocephaly), due to centuries of admixture with a more brachycephalic element. Pigmentation is close to the Eastern European variant with a high proportion of mixed shades.
📸 Examples of Nordic types from C. Coon’s “The Races of Europe”
Hallstatt Nordic type
Celtic Nordic type
Exotic Nordic (Eastern European)
⭐ Example of a Russian Muscovite perfectly fitting the Corded Nordic type
Mykyta Syn Alekseeva (front)
Dolichocephaly, narrow face, straight nose
Dolichocephaly, narrow face, straight nose
Mykyta Syn Alekseeva (profile)
Strongly projecting occiput, sloping forehead
Strongly projecting occiput, sloping forehead
📊 Comparison of Muscovites (males) with Coon’s Nordic types
Mean values: Muscovites vs Corded / exotic Nordic / Hallstatt / Celtic
| Trait | Muscovites | Corded | Exotic Nordic | Hallstatt | Celtic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head length (mm) | 194.2 | 205.8 | 199.7 | 199.0 | 197.5 |
| Head breadth (mm) | 150.5 | 148.8 | 148.0 | 153.7 | 151.7 |
| Cephalic index | 77.5 | 72.4 | 75.3 | 77.2 | 76.8 |
| Bizygomatic diameter (mm) | 136.0 | 135.8 | 134.3 | 137.7 | 142.3 |
| Facial index | 92.4 | 95.6 | 95.4 | 96.3 | 91.1 |
| Nasal index | 60.1 | 59.0 | 60.1 | 59.0 | 60.5 |
📌 Conclusions
- Modern Muscovites (ethnic Russians aged 17–18) are mesocephalic (77.5) with a leptoprosopic face and leptorrhine nose.
- For most metric traits (head length/breadth, facial and nasal indices) they fall within the classic ranges of the Corded (Eastern Nordic) type.
- The difference is the cephalic index at the upper boundary (mesocephaly instead of pure dolichocephaly), explained by centuries of admixture with more brachycephalic populations of Eastern Europe.
- Pigmentation (Bunak’s data) shows a predominance of mixed eye and hair shades; modern Muscovites may have become slightly darker compared to the mid‑20th century.
- The Hallstatt and Celtic types exhibit different traits (wider face, aquiline nose) and are not dominant in the Russian population.
- The individual example (Mykyta Syn Alekseeva) demonstrates perfect compliance with the Corded type: dolichocephaly, narrow face, straight nose, projecting occiput.
Sources: Negasheva M.A. “Fundamentals of Anthropometry” (2017); V.V. Bunak “Anthropology of Russians” (pigmentation data); C. Coon “The Races of Europe” (1939); images provided by the user.