Using the means of five cranial indices of three early medieval groups from Austria and four comparative series from neighbouring regions (Southern Germany, CSSR and Hungary) distance measures and similarity relations were computed and the applied methods were compared. In addition, the attempt for a better consideration of the biological conditions was made by combining two known methods at a time (Dendrogram by means of (DD)2 distances; population-composition on the basis of adjacent secured comparative series). The results of this study reveal, that using the above cited simple methods on the only basis of the means of five cranial indices a correspondence with the attributions of the three Austrian series cited in the literature and basing on extensive investigations was obtained. Thus a very strong relation -- especially concerning the males -- resulted between the series from Pitten and the Slavic ones, and between the groups of Zwölfaxing -- more expressed in the females -- and the Avaric series. Of special interest are the results of the mixed population of Zwentendorf were the females resemble quite strikingly the Slavic, the males, however, the Bajuvaric comparative series.

Methodological contribution to craniometrical studies of various early mediaeval populations of the upper Danube region. I. The most usual cranial indices as a basis for population comparisons (graphic and approximation methods)