Pages: 159-180 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp214159180

Thе paper examines an individual burial of the Middle Sarmatian period discovered in mound 23, Kovalevka burial ground, Volgograd region, Russia. To study the materials the authors applied mathematical, archeological and anthropological methods, which allowed to attempt an interpretation of the specific burial posture of the individual. It was determined that there are no traces of intentional homicide of the individual and no signs of artificial devices ensuring that the body took a specific posture. So, it was concluded that at the time of the burial process, the person inside the grave chamber was alive and the sitting position was taken unconsciously in a “forced” manner, i. e. to facilitate breathing. Death was caused by asphyxiation in a confined space. The implementation of this burial or ritual had a religious and symbolic meaning and was dictated by the ethno-political situation and the traditions of the nomadic society.

Keywords: Lower Volga basin, Volgograd Oblast, early Iron Age, Middle Sarmatian culture, nomads, burial, ritual, nonstandard posture

Information about authors:

Evgeniy Pererva (Volgograd, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Volgograd State University. University Ave., 100, Volgograd, 400062, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Vladimir Moiseev (Volgograd, Russian Federation). Volgograd State University. University Ave., 100, Volgograd, 400062, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Irina Kharlamova (Volgograd, Russian Federation). Candidate in Physics and Mathematics. Volgograd Institute of Management — Branch of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA). Gagarin St., 8, Volgograd, 400066, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]