Entombments of the final stage of the Middle Bronze Age between Volga and Ural and some problems of the regional cultural genesis.
Authors
R.A. Mimokhod
Інститут археології РАН
Keywords:
Volga-Ural cultural group, Lola culture, Sintashta culture, mortuary archaeological monuments, the block of postcatacomb cultures, final stage of the Middle Bronze Age, Volga-Ural region, Subcaucasia, the North-eastern Caucasus
Abstract
In article the hypothesis about formation of particular postcatacomb group at the final stage of the Middle Bronze Age on the Volga-Ural region is proved. Therefore this group preliminarily titled as “VolgaUral group”. Among characteristics of its mortuary practice we may distinguish skeletons with their crania oriented southwards and south-west, which lie in simple pits or in the graves with near-bottom flank niches. The diversity of specific attributes of this cultural formation permits us to assert that its origin was concerned with Early Lola culture from Eastern Subcaucasia, as soon as part of the population advanced into VolgaUral steppes from there. Some specific features in mortuary practice as well as in artifact complex of Sintashta culture denote that representatives of the Volga-Ural postcatacomb group could immediately contribute their share to the genesis of this culture. Due to their contribution we can see some pronounced southern (Subcaucasian and Caucasian) traits in aspect of Sintashta culture.
