Non-standard Dead Body Positioning in the Middle Sarmatian Grave from Kovalevka Burial Ground

Thе paper examines an individual burial of the Middle Sarmatian period discovered in mound 23, Kovalevka burial ground, Volgograd region, Russia. To study the materials the authors applied mathematical, archeological and anthropological methods, which allowed to attempt an interpretation of the specific burial posture of the individual. It was determined that there are no traces of intentional homicide of the individual and no signs of artificial devices ensuring that the body took a specific posture. So, it was concluded that at the time of the burial process, the person inside the grave chamber was alive and the sitting position was taken unconsciously in a “forced” manner, i. e. to facilitate breathing. Death was caused by asphyxiation in a confined space. The implementation of this burial or ritual had a religious and symbolic meaning and was dictated by the ethno-political situation and the traditions of the nomadic society

Aesthetics · Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Dead body · Homicide · Middle Ages · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Violent death · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Philosophy · Psychology · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices