Pages: 113-127

The paper deals with bronze mirrors from burials of the 6th—1st centuries BC in the cemeteries near the village of Pokrovka in the South Urals area. The analysis of their morphology enabled us to distinguish six types corresponding to the earlier accepted typologies. Chronological estimate of some items was based on co-occurrence of mirrors and weapons in the same complexes. The rest were dated through analogies and stratigraphy. The conditions of the occurrence of either intact or fragmented mirrors and the relation between their presence and age-sex characteristics of burials were also analysed. The results of the study revealed specific traits of the use of mirrors in burial and funeral rites characteristic of early nomads inhabiting the territory under study during the five distinguished chronological periods.

Keywords: The South Urals area, early nomads, burial complexes, relative chronology, bronze mirrors, typology

Information about author:

Olga Frizen (Moscow, Russia). The State Museum of Oriental Art. Nikitsky Bd., 12a, Moscow, 119019, Russia.
E-mail: [email protected]