Stratigraphy at the Tartas-1 Neolithic Site (Baraba Forest-Steppe). The Characteristics of the Burials Cutting Through the Early Cultural Layer

Burial complexes dating back from the Neolithic era to the early-developed Bronze Age have been analyzed. The complexes were revealed at the Early Neolithic site of the Tartas-1 area in the Baraba forest-steppe. The site is represented by two housing buildings and a set of special pits intended for fish fermentation. The peculiar dishes, stone and bone tools, as well as the ritual burials of animals (treasure troves/offerings), made it possible to speak about a previously unknown culture of the Neolithic era called the Baraba Neolithic culture. The necropolises of various chronological periods were periodically constructed in the settlement area. The primary aim of the study was to compile the most complete summary of these burials showing the relative chronology of these objects. The Neolithic burial is the earliest. According to the radiocarbon dating, it dates back to the middle of the 5th millennium BC. This date is much later than the set of early dates received at the Neolithic site, the layer of which the burial cuts. The specificity of the burial practice does not allow making direct analogies with the famous Neolithic burial grounds. This may indicate the future identification of a special cultural and chronological layer, which may have occurred in the Neolithic era of this region. One burial is related to the early-developed Bronze Age (the Odinov culture), as evidenced by the specifics of the burial practice and the inventory. The relative chronology of this burial is clearly emphasized by the fact that the grave was cut by the burial of the Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture. The remaining 18 burials belong to the Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture. Two funeral complexes belong to the same period. Two rows of graves are traced; they are located along the edge of the terrace, parallel to each other. Two funeral complexes, in which the grave was surrounded by an intermittent ring-shaped ditch, are integrated in the upper row system. A distinctive feature of this area of the Andronovo cemetery is the presence of children's and adults' graves at the same time. Children's burials are not planographically differentiated. There are both single and collective tombs. The accompanying inventory found in the graves is common to the Andronovo (Fedorovo) complexes; these are ceramic vessels, bronze cast biconical beads, temple rings, sewn plaques, as well as drilled astragali. The investigated funeral complexes include 20 burials and architectural structures (ditches) accompanying individual burials. To varying degrees, these complexes cut the cultural layer of the Neolithic site and have a later chronological position.

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