Zabavin V. The Timber-grave culture of the Northern Azov Sea region (based on the data of funerary complexes)

The thesis is devoted to the comprehensive research of the accumulated bulk of sources, systematization and analysis of all existing funerary complexes belonging to the Timber-grave culture of the Northern Azov Sea region. It aims at identifying their local specific features, determining the role of these antiquities within the system of the regional Timber-grave culture and generalizing the obtained data in order to solve the problems of the regional culture development. The thesis uses information concerning 1515 burials originating from 235 mound and ground burial places. It elucidates the basic stages of necropolises’ excavations and source base accumulation. The research presents the created general registry of the funerary complexes of the region’s Timber-grave culture as well as arranged and systematized source base. The comprehensive formalized statistical characterization of the funerary complexes and the characteristics of the material culture based on the necropolises’ data are given. On the basis of comparative stratigraphy and typological analysis of ritual and inventory complex there were determined three chronological stages (early, developed and late) that correspond to the main stages of the Timber-grave culture of the Northern Azov Sea region’s development. The thesis presents the detailed characterization of the funerary structures. Despite some regional features of the funeral ritual conditioned by the natural and geographical factors the Azov Sea region’s structures reflect the general traditions typical of all the Timber-grave culture of the region. It provides information as to the ways of treating the remains of the dead. The most frequent burial form was individual corpse placement (inhumation) in the twisted position on the left side with the elbows bent and raised to the face or chest of a dead person. The thesis presents the characteristics of the most frequent category of the funerary inventory of the Timber-grave culture that is of pottery. The basis of the ceramic complex characterization was morphological indices or functional characteristics of the items. It was determined that crockery underwent certain qualitative transformations in space and time that revealed themselves in the form and proportion of the items, clay recipe, surface processing and ornamentation. It examines non-ceramic items from the burial grounds of the Northern Azov Sea region. The items made of wood, stone, bone and horn known due to burial grounds excavations were designed to serve the productive and sacral spheres of the Timber-grave population’s life. It presents the characterization of the metal items included in the inventory of the Timber-grave culture’s burial places. Determination of the absolute dates of the Timber-grave necropolises was carried out by means of correlation between three main indicators: traditional chronology of the Northern Azov Sea region Timber-grave culture complexes, radiocarbon chronology of the Azov Sea region / The Black Sea coast, chronology of the previous and following stages. The period of the Northern Azov Sea region Timber-grave culture covers 1700 – 1200 BC. The thesis presents the attempt to construct the model of the regional culture development. Regarding cultural and historical aspect we associate appearance of the Timber-grave culture in the Northern Azov Sea region with spread of the complexes of Pokrovsk type carriers and with the active participation of autochthonous population of Babyne culture. During the final stage of the culture development there was shift away from the traditional funeral rite that inevitably caused loss of cultural identity. In the archeological aspect it led to disappearance of the culture as a phenomenon. The complexes of the Northern Azov Sea region and the Timber-grave antiquities of other regions were compared, their role in the regional Timber-grave culture system was determined.