@ancestralwhispersdotorg: Facial reconstruction of a 1,200-year-old Tsanar from Tianeti, Georgia. During the Arab invasions, resistance in eastern Georgia developed first in the highlands, where Georgian highlanders groups held out more effectively than lowland populations. From these strongholds, resistance expanded into the devastated plains, which were later repopulated by mountain communities. Political centers shifted from Ujarma to the more defensible highlands of Tianeti. The Tsanar tribe of Northeast Georgia played a central role in this process. Living in a mountainous stronghold, they resisted Arab cavalry raids and were governed by a Khevisberi, an elected figure combining secular and religious authority. After Christianization, this office retained dual power. Local elites in Kakheti and Gardabani aligned with the Tsanars, and their leader became the dominant prince. The Darial Pass, a key strategic route, was repeatedly contested during 8th-century Arab campaigns, though control remained unstable due to continued resistance. The early Principality of Kakheti, emerging after the collapse of the Chosroid dynasty (~787), is associated with Grigol, who was likely of Tsanar origin, and was initially even referred to as “Tsanaria,” encompassing Kakheti, Kukheti, and Gardabani. Anthropologically, the reconstructed individual is linked to the so-called Caucasionic type, first identified in northeastern Georgia during the early Middle Ages and later spreading into lowland Georgia and parts of the North Caucasus. It is characterized by large cranial and facial dimensions and pronounced morphological distinctiveness compared to neighboring populations. Its origin is debated, with hypotheses ranging from long-term isolation of mountain groups to continuity from ancient populations or external Bronze Age and steppe influences. Craniological data from 7th–10th century series show large cranial dimensions in both sexes, with a high cephalic index in males, broad cranial bases, and pronounced facial structure. The bizygomatic breadth is very wide, with moderate facial flatness and strong nasal projection. #ancientdna #caucasus

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Saturday 23 May 2026 11:18:35 GMT