ТЕРРАКОТОВЫЕ СТАТУЭТКИ ИЗ ЮГО-ЗАПАДНОГО УЧАСТКА НЕКРОПОЛЯ КИТЕЯ

Abstract

This article is based upon terracotta figurines that have been discovered during the excavations of the necropolis of Kytaia, one of the smaller Bosphoran towns, which had existed on the South-Eastern littoral of the contemporary Kerch peninsula, from the 6th – to the 5th centuries BC, till c. 525–550 AD. In the South-Western section of the site, located in a zone of intense coastal abrasion, burials of the 4th century BC, and of the extended period 350–500 AD, accompanied with ritual complexes and traces of funeral meals, were discovered. In addition to numerous other finds, of offerings associated with rites customary in Late Antiquity, 14 fragmented terracotta figurines were discovered. Compared to examples from the earlier Hellenistic period these from the late antique, which are contemporaneous with the most recent ritual practices, appear to be of smaller quantity. The preference which was given to female rather than to male images, as well as to upper and lower parts of terracotta figurines, is perhaps not accidental but awaits explanation. Interpretation of the revealed patterns depends upon the ethnic and cultural affiliation of the Kytaia inhabitants during the Great Migration Period and needs clarification.