Wohlfahrt und Körpergröße in Eurasien: Aufbau einer umfassenden historischen Datenbank

01.12.2025 bis 30.11.2027

This project represents the first systematic investigation of long-term trends and regional differences in stature across Asia. We provide a robust foundation for understanding the broader patterns of convergence and divergence in stature across Eurasia over the last millennium. This project seeks to delve deeper into the determinants of regional variations in stature across Asia, offering a more nuanced understanding of the continent’s historical development. Moreover, we will examine stature disparities associated with social status by analyzing grave goods from ceremonial contexts. This approach provides a unique perspective, linking societal hierarchies to physical stature. By studying these burial artifacts, we will gain deeper insights into how social structures and conditions shaped stature trends historically. In addition to these two key areas, we will also consider other influential factors, including climatic shocks, technological advancements, disease events, population density, and other potential variables, to explain regional differences in stature. Together, these factors will allow us to build a comprehensive framework for understanding the determinants of stature across Asia.