Pages: 369-379

The article deals with analysis of the human bones and skulls subjected to artificial damage which are coming from Early Iron Age cemeteries of East Kazakhstan. Analysis of the perforations on the bones of the postcranial skeleton and trepanations in the skulls makes it possible to associate them with the implementation of embalming bodies for mummification of noble members of nomadic communities in the regions of Altai and Tuva. The purpose of this tradition can be explained by the necessity for members of the tribal association to give last respects to a person of high social rank, that in a nomadic life style is not always possible within a short time. Analysis of such manipulations with the body of the deceased can significantly enhance the information on postmortem rituals and increase the area of their distribution.

Keywords: Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Early Iron Age, early nomads, post-mortem ritual, perforation, trepanation, embalming, mummification.

Information about authors:

Egor Kitov (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Center of Physical Anthropology, Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Leninsky Ave., 32-A, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Alexandra Kitova (Moscow, Russian Federation). Center for Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Leninsky Ave., 29/8, Moscow, 119071, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Yerdan Oralbay (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Margulan. Dostyk Ave., 44, Almaty, 050010, Kazakhstan
E-mail: [email protected]