Заметки по планиграфии Усть-Альминского некрополя в крымской Малой Скифии / Notes on Planning of Ust’-Al’ma Necropolises in the Crimean Late Scythia

Abstract

The planigraphy’ analysis of big Ust’-Al’ma necropolis for the 1st — mid. 3rd cc. devoted to the distribution of tamga-signs, the golden costume applications and the offensive weapons in its various parts and for two periods. Tamgas were absent in the elite crypts and presented only in 4,1% of graves (there were usually the Sarmatian wives from neigbouring communities) on the specific “wedding mirrors” and on the Roman clay dishes. The dishes with two tamgas of the relative clans used the purification rituals are of particular interest. In the 1st — mid. 2nd cc. complexes used the golden costume applications of 24 types; almost all of them have analogues in the more eastern Sarmatian tribes. The weapons are usually represented by one symbolic object (for early period it was often the sword, for late period — the spear or axe). According to various data, three accumulations of graves were identified (in the north, SW and east). They reflect the triple division of the community in Iranian tradition and identify the graves of the important members of such groups.

Keywords

• necropolis planigraphy
• Late Scythians of Crimea
• 1st — mid. 3rd cc. CE
• Ust’-Al’ma
• tamga-signs
• golden costume applications and weapons
• three main accumulations of graves