Upper Wallis : Wallis (Switzerland)

The Romans called the area Vallis Poenina (Upper Rhône Valley). The Walser settled the upper part of the Wallis about 1000 years ago, coming from the Bernese Oberland. Because of linguistic differences among the Walser dialects, it is supposed that there were two independent immigration routes. From the upper Wallis, they began to spread south, west and east between the 12th and 13th centuries, which is known as the Walser migrations.




Sample :




Brief anthropological analysis :

- Type 1 : Light complexion, brachymorphic, little and concave nose, square-faced, broad forehead, wide-set eyes, large jaw
~ Alpinoid/Subnordid



This type seems to be quite widespread in the whole Alps, more particularly in German-speaking areas and in the French Rhône valley (Dauphiné, Lyonnais, ...), not so much on the Italian side of the Alps. One can find more leptomorphic and somehow darker individuals.




Dinaromorphic individuals are more specifically Swiss/Austrian-looking (see Austria) and could fall under the next category.




- Type 2 : Light complexion (from blonde to chestnut hair, light eyes, ...), leptomorphic, narrow "horsy" face, straight or convex nose, high cheekbones, close-set eyes
~ Nordid



This type is quite Germanic-looking whatever that means : it reminds us of many Dutch and German subtypes (more particularly "horsy" Flemish phenotypes). Notice the specific nose shape.

Final morphotypes :



http://anthroeurope.blogspot.ru/2010/04/upper-wallis-switzerland-wallis.html