Myth or reality: archeological evidence on the history of specific burial practices from the country of Medea

Abstract

Spoken language is the outstanding pearl of humanity’s intangible heritage. The language reflects the nation’s psychology, morals, and archaic character of life. In this respect, the Megrelian language is one of the oldest and is influenced by the psychocultural emotions of the people speaking this language. The purpose of the present study is to understand the semantic nature of one, Megrelian figurative word – saying “Jveshish dzuali oko varkalandas”//The bones of the ancestors should shine” taking into account this context. According to the author, the mentioned word – say is related to the Late Bronze Age – Early Age (15th – 7th centuries BC) with the burial ritual documented by the tribes carrying the “Colchian culture”. Two stages of the burial ritual are distinguished, the first: wrapping the dead body in skins and hanging it on a tree, and the second – is secondary burial, proper cleaning of the bones of the dead body – after processing, wrapping it in cloth and placing it in the grave with certain items. Archaeological materials also confirm that the reports of ancient writers on the various customs of Colchis funerals are authentic, and the symbolic word-saying recorded in the article also reflects this ethnocultural ritual