The Study of the Scythian Period Mound at the Chineta-II Burial: Characteristics of the Burial Rite and Social Interpretation
The article is devoted to the results of the research of the expedition from Altai State University of Mound № 21 on the burial grounds of Chineta- II, located in the Krasnoshchekovskiy district of the Altai territory. This object is one of the largest burial mounds of Scythian time in this necropolis. Analysis of the characteristics of the burial rite and inventory allowed pre-dating the mound № 21 to second half (end) of the 4-5 century BC. The burial mound of Chineta-II, along with previously researched in this area necropolis Khankarinskiy dale, marks the northwestern border of the area of Pazyryk culture in Altai. In addition to typical Pazyryk culture traits, the study of the mound marks some specific features. In particular, accompanying burial of a horse was seen in the west, but not the north wall of the grave, which is typical for Pazyryk culture. This feature can be partly explained by the earlier dating of the monument and not fully established burial practice. Despite the robbery of the burial it was possible to state that it was the burial of a woman, and also discover a unique piece of jewelry - a golden earring with pendants, and the remains of Chinese lacquer wooden cup. Significant parameters of the mound, presence of accompanying burials of horses, an imported object and a piece of jewelry allow attributing the mound № 21 of the burial Chineta-II to the range of monuments of regional elites - carriers of Pazyryk culture. Further research on the necropolis of Chineta-II and a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of the inventory will allow getting new information on ethnocultural and social processes in Western Altai in Scythian time.