This thesis is regarding Kyivan burials and cemeteries of the 16th?18th centuries, compiling for scientific use a little more than 3,000 graves. Beginning in 19th century the graves were examined in the Starokyiv, Podil, Ploske, Pechersk and suburbs. As many as two thirds of the graves were in Upper Kyiv. It provides a comprehensive description of burial sites and ritual practices, based on archaeological and other historical sources. Due to the urbanized nature of the excavations, the recorded graves are presumed to be only a small part of the greater Kyivan cemeteries, and likely trends are extrapolated over that period based on the recorded excavations. Based on archaeological and written sources, cemeteries are divided into the following types: monastic (18), parochial (30), urban (12) and burial grounds without churches (8). Most of the sites were actively functional from the 17th century to the third quarter of the 18th century. Planography of church and monastery cemeteries shows the placement of graves in nearly all parts of their respective temples. Their density decreases with distance from the churches. Monastic necropolises, with their large territories, used multiple burial sites contemporaneously. Designated burials near churches concentrated mainly in front of the apse, as well as to the west and south of the facades. Analysis of the forms and designs of the burial structures identified the following six main types: simple pits without wood remains being mentioned during excavation (1886), simple pits with wooden coffins recorded during excavation (976), stone sarcophaguses (19), pavements and complexes with fencing around the body (13), underground vaults (97) and crypts (7). Simple pits and coffins are the dominant form (95.5%). Rare, more decorated types, are attributed to prestigious burials. The main characteristics of funeral rituals are indicated by individual burials consisting of subjects lying on their backs, arms folded or crossed over the thorax or abdomen, legs straight and parallel, and with the feet together. The skeletons are typically orientated with the head toward the western sector, and raised slightly to face the East. Posthumous inventory buried with the subjects is represented mainly by neck crosses, which are divided into 9 types ranging from simple to complex. Deviations from the regular ritual burials are manifested in a variety of grave structures and their additional elements. Such differences from the dogmatic rituals include non-single forms of burial (pair, triple and collective), orientation and position of the limbs, posthumous inventory, and the layout of the cemeteries. These deviations establish that period burial practices conformed not only to the symbolisms regulated by the Church, but also to traditional practices holding clear genetic links to pre-Christian rituals. Based on bioarchaeological sources, demographic characteristics of 16th to 18th century Kiev are compiled in this paper. The vast majority of data is derived from individuals buried in parish cemeteries. Nearly 40% died before reaching 20 years of age. Epidemics, famine and the of lack of the proper sanitation account for a large number of the young age attrition rate. The average age of mortality at birth was around 31 years due to the high mortality of children under 2 years old. The correlation between the physical features found at burial sites, and the Orthodox funeral rank order referenced in historical sources, provide an opportunity to establish the lifetime social status of the deceased. The largest amount of most accurately attributed graves belongs to members of the clergy. Features establishing the social status of the deceased in any given grave are: the type of burial facilities, the location of the grave, accompanying ornamentals, and the remains of clothing. A small number of inhumations were found in brick tombs, sarcophaguses, on pavements, and in coffins with notable decorations. The complexity of burial structures tends to correspond with deceased who belonged to the Church hierarchy or the secular elite. The study of the funeral rituals of the 16th-18th century demonstrates their complexity and diversity. While they largely confirm to the "standard Christian burial rite", the morphology of some, or even whole groups of graves, also expose deviations from the canonical church tenets. Such dogmas had a strong influence on the burial rights, but variations from the regularity of the parochial and monastic cemeteries indicate the absence of strict control over the execution of each ceremony, continuing to the last quarter of the 18th century.
