Pages: 75-90 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp2457590

The article addresses the burial complex Num-hibya-siheri VIa, located on the territory of the Taz district, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Russia), studied in 2016—2018. The novelty and originality of the study lies in the comprehensive approach to the analysis of Christian burials of Selkup children in the Arctic region of Western Siberia with further interpretation of the funerary rites. The diversity of funerary constructions made it possible to distinguish five different variants of burial structures. The archaeological site under study, located in the Arctic region, is unique because it reflects the Christianization process of the indigenous populations. This is confirmed by elements of funerary rites and structures, as well as pectoral crosses and an icon found among the accompanying grave goods, indicating the penetration of the Christian faith into the culture of the indigenous people of the region. At the same time, the funerary site also demonstrates some elements that indicate the nascent practice of using Christian symbols. In one case only, a cross on a chain was placed around the neck of the buried person; in other cases, Christian attributes were located in other parts of the graves. The presence of a large number of wooden burial structures and their good preservation made it possible to select a series of archaeological wood samples for the dendrochronological analysis and date the excavated necropolis within the second quarter of the 19th — early 20th centuries.

Keywords: burial ground, northern Selkups, dendrochronology, archaeological wood, Taz district

Information about authors:

Alexander Tkachev (Tyumen, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Tyumen Scientific Centre, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Chervishevsky Tract St., 13, Tyumen, 625026, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-4072-2724

Alexander Tkachev (Tyumen, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Tyumen State University. Volodarsky St., 6, Tyumen, 625003, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-8797-0648

Katya Gyurdzhoyan (Tyumen, Russian Federation). Tyumen State University. Volodarsky St., 6, Tyumen, 625003, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-2662-727X

Mikhail Utkin (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Akademik Lavrentiev Ave., 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-2603-7728

Maya Phylatova (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Akademik Lavrentiev Ave., 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-5828-4809