Pages: 193-204

Differences in the burial rites of various Classical polises suppose different cults and religious and philosophic doctrines at the basis of this or another type of rite. The article analyses peculiarities of infant burials from the cemeteries of European and Asian Bosphorus, mainly dated by VI- III c. B.C. Data of more than 500 of such burials are used. The analysis has a broad comparative base from the Classical necropolises of the Aegean-Pontus basin. As a result, two ritual traditions of infant burials are distinguished for the Upper Black Sea region. According to the first one, the so called “adult”, the infant burials practically show no difference compared to the adult population. This tradition is characterised by a small number of burials without goods, while among the goods terracotta is often found. Its fullest representation the “adult” ritual found in the necropolises of Apollonia, Tomis, Istria and Olbia. According to the second tradition, burials are done in vessels (amphorae, pyphos, sometimes in ordinary handmade pots). These burials, as a rule, contain no goods. A rather big number of burials in vessels found in the necropolises of various Pontus centres, which are considered Miletus’ apoikias on the one hand, and the fact that this rite is not typical of Miletus, on the other hand, allow coming back to the question about citizens of other, island and coastal Asia Minor polises, participating on the early stage of colonisation along with Miletus. Thus, for instance, in case of the settlement on the island Berezani, these could be natives of Rhodes Island. Thus the data on the infant burial rite can be used for clarification of the situation around those cities of  the Black Sea region, particularly Bosphorus, whose metropolises are still unknown.