Features of Funeral Rite of Middle Sarmatian Monuments of Esaulovsky Aksai

Abstract

The article characterizes the peculiarities of the burial ritual of Middle Sarmatian complexes from the territory of Esaulovsky Aksai river basin. On the basis of the analysis, two groups of sites having their own characteristics were allocated. The Middle Sarmatian burials Peregruznoe I, Aksai I and II have common elements with the previous period (sets of clothes, planigraphy of burials and others), which makes it possible to talk about their genetic continuity with Early Sarmatian culture. The data of anthropological research confirm these findings. At the same time, the Middle Sarmatian burial mounds such as Zhutovo, Ternovsky and Chikovsky represent complexes with established Middle Sarmatian funeral rites. It is not clear what caused the presence of selected features in the two groups of tombs - the previous tradition or the new elements dominating in the rite. It is unlikely that you can talk about local features resulting from the geographical environment, because the study was conducted in a small area, and remove these groups from each other is not possible. Perhaps this situation is determined by the chronological differences, but today the level of elaboration of Sarmatian chronology does not give an opportunity to identify temporary differences. Not ruled out the possibility that such a situation is determined by ethno-cultural situation in the region where the migrant mastered or abandoned cemeteries primarily certain regions of the steppe, while the local population continues to retain some territories and ancestral burial grounds at their disposal.