Children’s Burial Ground of Andronovo (Fedorovo) Culture in the Baraba Forest-Steppe

Abstract

Purpose. The materials from the Preobrazhenka-3 children’s burial ground of Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture of the Bronze Age, located in the Baraba forest-steppe, are introduced into scientific circulation. Results. During the research process, results of the planigraphic analysis of the site were obtained. The necropolis is quite clearly localized. Subsequently, already in the Late Bronze Age (Irmen culture), earthen structures (mounds) were constructed on its surface. In turn, the bearers of Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture built their necropolis on the territory of a previously existing and no longer visible settlement of Krotovo culture. The study of the burial complexes revealed groups of burials containing complete and incomplete skeletons of children. There are also graves with only a vessel without either a corpse or other equipment. Analysis of ceramic vessels from burials made it possible to divide them into two groups. The first group consists of elegant vessels made with the classical canon. The ornament is represented by complex compositions containing rows of oblique shaded triangles, meanders, cannelures. The second group of vessels was made extremely carelessly. The ornament is applied unevenly, frequently with traces of smudged parts. It has been suggested that some of the ceramic vessels placed in the graves were made by children. Conclusion. The Preobrazhenka-3 burial ground provides researchers with all types of children’s burial practices and serves as a kind of model for its implementation by the bearers of Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture.