Pages:  171-181 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp262171181

The article presents the results of an analysis of the funerary rite of the group of burials attributed to the Srubnaya Cultural and Historical Community (Late Bronze Age). The burials in question share a common feature in their grave goods sets, namely, each grave contains a set of two metal knives. The nineteen examined burials are located mainly in the Volga middle and lower reaches, The principles behind forming sets of two knives are defined, their important feature is the presence of “universal” and “specialized” tools in each set. The burials show a high degree of similarity of the rite within the selected group. The interred are adult males, who presumably performed both military and priestly functions. The obtained characteristics made it possible to consider the discussed burials as “socially important”.

Keywords: Volga region, Late Bronze Age, Srubnaya Cultural and Historical Community, funeral rite, set of two metal knives, razor knife, composition of metal

Information about authors:

Vladimir Lunkov (Moscow, Russian Federation). Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dmitry Ulyanov St., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-5294-2214

Yulia Lunkova (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dmitry Ulyanov St., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-9295-1126