Contact group between Indid and Veddid, mostly concentrated in the Indian subcontinent. Features appear overall Caucasian, the hair is wavy, the root of the triangular nose relatively high and wider than in Indids, lips not very thick. However, the skin is very dark brown, often even darker than in Veddids. The name derives from "melanin". Overall, morphological affinities to Ethiopids exist. Probably developed in the agricultural populations of India when early Caucasoids pushed back older Veddids. The southern Karnatid variety concentrated in Tamil Nadu is usually regarded as the most typical representative. In Jharkhand and West Bengal, a northern Kolid variety has been identified with more angular, slightly Gondoid features. Indo Melanids play an important role in modern Indians, in small numbers Roma and Sinti brought Indo Melanid admixture to Europe several centuries ago.
Physical Traits
Features: Overall CaucasianHair: WavyNose: Triangular, high root, wider than IndidsLips: Not very thickSkin: Very dark brown (darker than Veddids)Morphology: Affinities to Ethiopids
The Indo Melanid type represents a contact population between Indid and Veddid groups, exhibiting a unique combination of features. Overall facial morphology appears Caucasian in structure. The hair is characteristically wavy. The nose is triangular with a relatively high root, and wider than that of Indids. Lips are not particularly thick. The most distinctive feature is the very dark brown skin color, often darker even than Veddids. The name "Indo Melanid" derives from this high melanin content. Morphologically, there are notable affinities to Ethiopid populations. The type likely developed among agricultural populations of India when early Caucasoids encountered and mixed with older Veddid populations.
Geographic Distribution
Distribution map circa 1500 CE. Yellow: common, Dark yellow: occasional, Black: rare
Concentrated primarily in the Indian subcontinent. The southern Karnatid variety in Tamil Nadu represents the most typical form. The northern Kolid variety appears in Jharkhand and West Bengal with more angular features. Indo Melanids play a significant role in modern Indian populations. Through Roma and Sinti migrations, small amounts of Indo Melanid admixture reached Europe centuries ago.
Literature References
The Indo Melanid type has been described under various names in anthropological literature:
