Pages: 167-195

The article presents results of a complex study of the Neolithic-Eneolithic burial ground Ksizovo 6 (Upper Don region, Russia). The goal of the study is to give anthropological and archaeological description of the Ksizovo 6 data along with attempt on its socio-cultural reconstruction. Human remains were studied by using classical craniologic method, which gives a possibility to make craniometric description of the skulls and conduct a comparative analysis. In addition, we used osteometric and osteoscopic methods. The other important components of the research are the study of the limb proportions, reconstruction of the body’s length, estimation of bone massiveness, documentation of traces of pathological changes on bones and development of muscular relief (enthesial morphology).
As a result of our study, we revealed a number of Europeoid features on skulls from Ksizovo 6: an elongated braincase, low face height and prominent horizontal profile. Morphological analysis of the postcranial bones revealed the relative elongation of the forearm and tibia, as well as a pronounced flattening of the tibia. The reconstructed body length for man was 162—170 cm, for women 155—163 cm. A mark from a blunt object strike with the traces of healing was found on one of the male skulls. The presence of stones and a bear skull in burials is discussed in connection with burial customs of the Neolithic-Eneolithic population of the Upper Don region.

Keywords: Upper Don, Neolithic, Eneolithic, burial, craniology, osteology, pottery, skull of a bear

Information about authors:

Sergey Vasilyev (Moscow, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology (IEA). Leninsky Ave., 32А, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Roman Smolyaninov (Lipetsk, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Lipetsk State Pedagogical P. Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky University. Lenin St., 42, Lipetsk, 398020, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Svetlana Borutskaya (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biology. Lomonosov Moscow State University. Lomonosov Ave., 27/4, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Alexander N. Bessudnov (Lipetsk, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Lipetsk State Pedagogical P. Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky University. Lenin St., 42, Lipetsk, 398020, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]