Excavation of the barrow of Timber-grave culture at the airport in Donetsk.

Abstract

The paper publishes materials of excavation of barrow of Timber-Grave Culture at the airport in Donetsk. Four burial complexes were examined in the barrow. The main burial (# 4) demonstrated a ceremony of complete dismemberment of the deceased (a teenager of 10-14 years old), accompanied by breaking of the lower and upper jaws. Then, small fragments of shattered bones were laid in the grave with the persistence of usual scheme for burial of the Late Bronze Age. The burial was accompanied by two cult pits next to which the fragments of two vessels of TimberGrave Culture were found. Rite of such a radical dismembering of the body in the Timber-Grave Culture is unknown to the authors but cases of demandiblezation had occurred. The authors believe that the deceased was considered by those who had to bury it as magically dangerous person. The later burial # 1 (a woman of 18-25 years old) contained a clay vessel among the grave goods. The burial was covered by additional mound.