A hypothesis on the purpose of grave No. 36 from the Varna I necropolis

Abstract

Today, archaeologists and pre-historians are unanimous in designating the Golden Chalcolithic Necropolis No. 1 as a Varna phenomenon. So much prehistoric gold found in one place the world has never been encountered. But gold intra-grave artefacts are not the only specimens of jewelry, because besides them, crystal beads have been found here, the work of which is still surprising and perplexing. And there are not many researchers for whom the pinnacle of this miracle is Grave No. 36 of the Necropolis. The grave has been of interest for many years and has generated diverse opinions. There are a number of features that make it difficult to fit into the overall picture of the Necropolis. This is one of many symbolic graves, but the findings show that there is not just one person buried here, but there are a male, a female, and a child together. The grave is rich, but differs from similar graves in the fact that it is not deep and does not even have a meter depth. It is the only rich symbolic grave without its bottom covered with dark matter. Distinctive artеfacts in the grave are the golden staff, the two golden bulls - big and small, the 30 applications of stylized animal heads with horns, the golden astragalus, the seven golden anthropomorphic amulets, the number of gold beads (752), which exceeds the number in the richest graves, the two curved gold plates - also unique for the Necropolis. Analyzing the above features, the most plausible hypothesis is that in Grave №36 the symbolic funeral of the last ruler of Varna culture with his whole family - his wife and child - was arranged, at the planned departure of the area, after deliberate eradication of all material traces, as one of the versions discussed today about the end of Varna civilization.