New Data on Female Burials of Rouran Period from the Northern Altai (based on the materials from the Choburak-I complex)

Abstract

The article presents the results of the analysis, cultural-chronological and ethnic-social interpretation of one of the female burials (barrow No. 32a), excavated at a small necropolis of the Bulan-Koby culture as part of the Choburak-I site. This complex, studied by the archaeological expedition of the Altai State University, is located in the Chemal district of the Altai Republic. The key characteristics of this female burial are a small stone mound with an oval revetment; a shallow, narrow and long pit; the corpse is stretched on the back with the head, oriented to the west, as well as the accompanying burial of a horse at the “legs” of a dead. A considerable inventory was found in the burial, including jewelry, costume details, tools and harness. Analysis of the finds made it possible to determine the dating of this object within the middle – second half of the IV century AD. The recorded features of inhumation with a riding horse demonstrate that this burial belongs to the Dyalyan tradition of the ritual practice of the Bulan-Koby culture nomads. Judging by the qualitative composition of the items, woman, buried in barrow No. 32a, had a high social status in the local community, that left the Choburak-I necropolis.

Keywords

• archaeology
• rouran period
• altai
• female burial
• chronology
• bulan-koby culture
• social history