Andronovo (fedorovo) complex of the Firsovo-XIV burial ground (materials of the 2020 excavations)

Abstract

The article presents a scholarly examination of the integration of materials from the Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture into academic discourse, particularly those uncovered during the 2020 excavations at the Firsovo-XIV burial ground in the Pervomaysky district of Altai krai, adjacent to the village of Firsovo. The fieldwork encompassed the analysis of 10 burials from the developed Bronze Age, revealing the remains of 13 individuals, which included three paired burials and seven single burials. Notably, five of these burials contained the remains of children, while four were of adults, and one burial featured both a woman and a child. Furthermore, several free-standing vessels associated with the Andronovo complex were identified in the inter-grave spaces.

The findings underscore a significant homogeneity in the burial practices of the Andronovo population represented at this site. The graves examined in 2020 contribute to the continuum of previously studied burials, demonstrating consistent burial methods, postures of the deceased, and burial inventories that are characteristic of the Andronovo culture. The analysis of these new burials facilitates a more nuanced understanding of specific elements, thereby enhancing the existing body of knowledge regarding the burial rites of the Andronovo population in the Barnaul Ob region. Ongoing field research at this site presents substantial potential for achieving a comprehensive understanding of the material culture and worldview of the ancient inhabitants, particularly in light of the threats posed by ongoing economic development in the surrounding areas, which may result in further degradation of the site.