Paleodemographic Analysis of Late Antiquity and Early Medieval Georgian Populations

Abstract

Demographic research on ancient populations stands as a crucial endeavor for the bioarchaeological reconstruction of societies. This study delves into the comparison of demographic characteristics between Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages in Georgia. Utilizing bone material, the research compiled mortality tables to analyze parameters such as life expectancy, age distribution, and sex ratio. The anthropological research laboratory of the Ivane Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology houses the materials, comprising of 235 skulls from the Late Antique period and 357 from the Early Middle Ages, sourced from various archaeological sites. Paleodemographic research methods were employed, including the construction of mortality tables and the analysis of the sex-age structure of the population. The study also utilized the “life table” methodology, a comprehensive system of age indicators developed by various researchers, to discern mortality rates and life expectancy. Comparison of the data reveals that the population of Late Antiquity experienced longer lifespans than their counterparts in the Early Middle Ages. Notably, males outnumbered females in both periods, with 61.7% males and 36.5% females in Late Antiquity, and 60% males and 37.5% females in the Early Middle Ages, while children comprised 1.7% and 2.5%, respectively.
The Early Middle Ages witnessed a smaller population size with elevated mortality rates, particularly among females of reproductive age, resulting in a decreased average life expectancy of 42.7 years compared to Late Antiquity. A comparative analysis suggests that Late Antiquity offered a more conducive environment for longevity, potentially attributed to factors such as flourishing trade, political stability, and agricultural advancements.