Pages: 245-258

Children's burials of the Srubnaya culture of the Lower Volga region are studied by the materials from the following three cemeteries: Perekopka, Vetyutnev and Netkachevo. An interdisciplinary approach, including consideration of age groups of children, labor costs associated with construction of mounds and burial chambers, burial goods and concentration of phosphorus oxide (P2O5) in vessels, was applied to studying 62 Srubnaya children's burials in three age groups: 0—4 years, 5—9 years and 10—14 years. Infant burials (0—1 year) were addressed separately. The results have shown high infant and children mortality rates on all burial grounds. Mortality depended on age and showed a gradual downward tendency from the first age group (0—4 years) towards the last one (10—14 years). Sizes of grave pits, composition of grave goods and Łcontents of vessels were also directly linked with the age and status of the dead child. The older the child, the higher his/her status.

Keywords: Lower Volga region, Late Bronze Age, Srubnaya culture, child mortality, funerary ceremony, tumulus cemetery, age groups, burial chamber, grave goods, funerary food

Information about author:

Maria Balabanova (Volgograd, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Volgograd State University. Universitetsky Ave., 100, Volgograd, 400062, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]