The Siya Monastery of St. Antonius Clergy: An Anthropological Study of the Remains

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2025-1/369-388

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the study of the remains of the clergy from the Siya Monastery of St. Antonius in the Arkhangelsk region. The monastery was founded in 1520 by the hieromonk Antonius of Siya. During restoration in 2022, the remains of clergymen were discovered in the tomb of the Trinity Cathedral. Anthropological study was conducted in July 2024 at the monastery complex. Seven male skeletons of varying preservation conditions were examined using standard anthropological protocols. Photogrammetry was performed on the preserved skulls of four individuals, anthropological reconstruction of appearance was made based on the acquired 3D models. The postcranial skeleton was analyzed to estimate the height and body constitution, the identified pathologies and injuries were recorded. The analysis revealed several possible trauma and markers of experienced stress, which may indicate a deficiency of vitamins in their diet. In most cases, the men lived to an old age. Current archival information about the buried individuals does not yet allow for personal identification. Thus, the final results of the study will be published after a thorough examination of archival sources, should they be found.