Funeral Rites of Equestrian Burials at the Prikubansky Burial Ground

In the Maeotian Prikubansky burial ground, dated to the 4th — early 3rd century BC, 28 horsemen’s burials were investigated, most of them accompanied by horses. The burials were made in wide rectangular pits, some of which contained coffins. The buried, mostly mature men, were laid extended on their backs, predominantly oriented toward the eastern sector. Horses aged between two and ten years were placed beside the deceased, either on the belly or on the left side, to the left or the right of the body. Bridles, consisting of bits with cheek-pieces, were placed in the horses’ mouths or under their skulls. Dogs were buried alongside riders in ten burials. Cow skulls, found in fifteen burials, appear to have held particular ritual significance. Meat remains deposited as funerary food offerings included sheep/goat and pig bones. The riders’ weapons consisted of iron swords, spears, and arrows. All burials were accompanied by amphorae, usually one to three per burial, as well as by local and imported pottery and jewelry. Some vessels were associated with special ritual practices: a bowl was always placed near the head of the deceased, either behind or beneath the skull, and holes were deliberately made in the bottoms of upside-down jugs and bowls. Incense burners filled with pebbles, pebble clusters, and individual stones were also connected with ritual activity. The community that used the burial ground may have belonged to the Maeotian Fatean tribe, whose elite were professional horsemen.

4th-3rd century BC · amphorae · elite burials · funerary practices · horse burial · horsemen · incense burners · iron weapons · ritual vessels · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning · Historical and Archaeological Studies