To the Question about Burial Constructions of the Kudash I Burial Ground

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study of wooden constructions, an important component of the burial rite of the ancient population of the Kudash I burial ground. The monument is located in the Bardymsky district of the Perm region of Russia. The burial ground dates back to the 3rd–5th centuries, it is associated with the age of the Great Migration period of peoples in the Middle Kama region. To compare the wood species of the burial constructions of the burial grounds, the authors used the results of a study of the constructions of the Krasny Yar burial ground (1st–5th centuries AD). When studying timber from constructions, the method of microscopic analysis was used. As a result, it was found that mostly conifers were used for burial constructions in male and female burials: pine, rarely spruce, and deciduous – linden. The constructions in the form of a bier in a status male burial (grave 160) and a complex flooring in the form of blocks (grave 26) were made of linden, while pine was used for other types of constructions. In the men graves, wooden constructions have morphological variety, which indicates the specificity of their occupations (professional and ordinary warrior). Burial constructions in female graves are more standard in form, but made not only of pine and spruce, but also of birch and linden. Some wooden constructions at the burial ground show signs of fire.