Description
Ethiopid subtype that is often regarded as a northern branch of East Ethiopid. Common along the Red Sea coast and the Nile Valley from Egypt to Eritrea and deep into the Ethiopian Highlands. Shows some morphological affinities with Mediterraneans, and played an important role in ancient Egypt.
Often blends with Arabids and Yemenids that arrived in (pre-)historic times. Common in the Beja, Beni Amer, Nubians, Hadendoa. More mixed in Amhara, Kababish, Egyptians (especially Charga and other oases). Sometimes in Arabia as well.
Physical Traits
Skin: Dark to medium brown
Hair: Tight-curly
Height: Medium to tall
Build: Ectomorph, brachyskelic
Skull: Dolicho-mesocephalic, orthocranic
Head: Rather small
Features: Gracile, marked
Nose: Mildly leptorrhine, high-bridged
Nose shape: Straight or convex
Lips: Full
Chin: Strong
Prognathism: Absent
The North Ethiopid type features dark to sometimes medium (bronze) brown skin with tight-curly hair. The build is medium height to rather tall, brachyskelic (short-legged), and ectomorphic (lean). The skull is dolicho- to mesocephalic (moderately long) and orthocranic (medium height), with a relatively small head size.
Facial features are gracile yet marked. The nose is mildly leptorrhine (narrow), high-bridged, and either straight or convex in profile. Lips are full, the chin is strong, and prognathism (forward projection of the jaw) is absent, distinguishing this type from other Sub-Saharan African varieties.
Literature References
The term "North Ethiopid" was defined by Eickstedt (1934) and refined during his later publications. Various anthropologists have interpreted this type differently, with some viewing it as a slightly altered form of Ethiopid proper, while others consider it a contact type between different populations.
- Eickstedt (1934, 1943, 1949, 1951) - Defined and refined North Ethiopid
- Baumann (1952) - Used the North Ethiopid classification
- Biasutti (1967) - Regarded them as slightly altered forms of Ethiopid proper
- Lundman (1967) - Interpreted as contact type of Saharid and Sudanid
- Baker (1981) - Also viewed as a contact type
