The Eneolithic complex of Duvanskoye XVII settlement

Abstract

The article deals with publication of the Eneolithic complex of Duvanskoye XVII monument, which is situated just outside the city of Tyumen. The monument is well known as a Fedorovo culture settlement. However, its Eneolithic period is of great interest as well. A dwelling with more than 50 pits was constructed in the 3rdcentury BC. The building of the pole frame construction was reconstructed due to a rectangular pit sized 6×5,3 metres and a number of pole holes situated around the pit at the distance of 1–3 meters. The samples from the building are represented by the Andreevo culture pottery, clay biconic plummets, and things made of silicium and jasper. There were over 50 regularly shaped pits randomly situated to the west of the dwelling. Some of them had debris of vessels of the Andreevo, Lipchin and Shapkul types, small fragments of ceramics, and articles made of stone, including small-sized polished ones. The majority of findings was located in the area between the pits. Their regular shape has considerable resemblance to the burial ones. However, the absence of anthropological remnants gave no chance of identifying them as burial places. The situation has changed by now. The materials from the eneolithic burial grounds of Pereyminsky 1, 2, Chepkul 20 and Buzan 3, located in close proximity, were excavated and published. A number of parallels were discovered, such as regularly shaped pits, concentration of material in the area between the graves, existence of other structures aimed at pre and post funeral rituals. All above mentioned let us consider the published complex as a burial ground. Appearance of a purposeful burial has a universal pattern. It became wide spread in the period of dramatic growth of the population density, which in its turn was caused by forming stable life sustenance systems. In this context, it refers to settled fishing, which meant a necessity to fix and control the catching areas. In the conditions of segmented communities, the processes of cultural consolidation became inevitable, which under the circumstances of the preliterate era were supported by customs and rituals.

Keywords

• Lower Tobol
• Andreevsky lake system
• the Eneolitic
• burial ground
• Andreevo type
• Shapkul type
• Lipchin type