The majority of subjects fall into the category of “average adults” (30-50 years old), except for Punic men, whose age at death seems to have been noticeably later than that of Protohistoric men in Algeria (52.6% of punic men were older than 50 at their death vs 27.6% for alger.)
The nose is moderately wide in average, with similar numbers of narrow and medium-width noses in men. Women tend to have more medium-width noses. A significant proportion (25%) has wide noses in Protohistoric Algeria, but this is less common in Punic burials.
Punic men were in average shorter than their numidian neighbours : average of 173 cm vs 167 cm for punics. Sexual dimorphism is significant, with Protohistoric women falling into above-average and tall categories (average 159 cm), while men mostly belong to the tall category.
There was a notable sexual dimorphism overall, with a stronger distinction among Punics, and the values were generally similar to those of modern Algerians. This distinction was particularly evident in terms of robustness and stature.
The analysis also highlights the persistence of Mechtoid traits (Mesolithic population) in 6 crania, one of which is from Carthage. Characterized by significant robustness, well-developed supraorbital arches, extroverted gonions, prominent nasal bones, and a short face.
A Sub-Saharan-like influence is evident in some of these skulls, notably indicated by varying degrees of platyrhiny associated with differing levels of prognathism. Only 2 isolated remains exhibit typical Negroid features, while the remaining outliers display a more mixed pattern
Both populations exhibit closer connections to West Med. series, particularly the Iberian/Sardinian series. However, there are also discernible affinities with certain Syrian and Egyptian series (Abydos/Giza). They appear distinct from Central and South Saharan series.
Dental analysis of remains from ancient Leptiminus (2nd-4th cent. AD) concludes: similar to Carthaginians, Lep. 10 cemetery suggests Campanian settlers, distinct from Levantines/Nubians. Overall dentally similar to West Euros, with some SSA influences like modern North Africans.
An Italian team published results on 35 skeletons from a Punic necropolis near Carthage (3rd-2nd century BC). Findings include medium-high stature, morphological homogeneity, traits characteristic of Berbers, and high dental wear with low caries incidence.
12 carthaginian skulls dating back to 247 B.C. show craniometric affinities with ancient north africans first then phoenicians but closer to the latter than to modern berbers like Kabyles which means those carthaginians had both north african and phoenician ancestry. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10437-018-9285-3
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