Ancient Necropolises of the Yergeni Upland: A Paleodemographic Study of the Catacomb Population from 1981–2008 Archaeological Excavations

Abstract

Introduction. The paper is a continuation of the authors’ study dealing with the Middle Bronze Age population in Kalmykia. The study focuses on anthropological material from burials of the Catacomb culture within kurgan groups investigated in the Yergeni Upland. Goals. The article attempts a paleodemographic analysis of the population from four archaeological sites. Insights into general demographic conditions of the then population have been facilitated by anthropological material from burials of the mentioned era discovered in the Don and Azov regions of Rostov Oblast. The identification of pathological features, markers of physiological stress, and traces of traumas on bones makes it possible to depict an overall picture of living conditions experienced by representatives of the considered group. Results. Our paleodemographic analysis reveals the group was characterized by a very low lifespan (22.7 yrs) which resulted from the high infant mortality — 46,2 % of the investigated remains belong to children. The bulk of deceased adults are aged 30 to 40. Such figures are considered typical of Middle Bronze Age populations.

Keywords

• archaeology
• demography
• anthropological material
• age cohort
• life expectancy
• child mortality rate
• mortality peak
• pathology
• stress markers
• catacomb culture
• yergeni upland
• republic of kalmykia