Aproximació a la problemàtica del poblament humà de Catalunya des de l'antropologia

Abstract

The study of human settlement in areas where hominid remains are very ancient becomes, in fact, the study of the biodynamics of the population, which can be ascertained by considering the similitude with the neigbouhring populations whenever such similitudes could be interpretated as genetic kinship. This is the case in Catalonia. After a review of the problem from prehistoric anthropology by means of the morphological traits in human remains, the problem is treated using the comparaison of the circummediterranean populations by means of two genetic markers: dermatoglyphics and blood groups. Using the UPGMA algorithm, hierarchical cluster analysis has been performed on Prevosti's distance matrices, obtaining results which can help us in the understanding of the position of the Catalonian population in the Mediterranean context. Both markers make a distinction between the Southeastern and Northwestern Mediterranean populations. Gibraltar is shown as a marked discontinuity, which indicates the scarce influence of the Muslim invasions in the genetic pool of the Iberian Peninsula. The European populations from the Western Mediterranean are highly homogeneous. A genetic flow has existed among them which has not permitted the establishment of discontinuities. The Catalonian population is to be found within this continuum.