Abstract
The purpose of this article is to present a complex analysis of recently recognised funeral structures discovered in Trzciniec Cultural Circle barrows. These features are rectangular and stones are typically situated in the corners, in the middle of the sides, or along the walls, creating unique structures with clearly delineated interior spaces. However, the function of these features is not well understood. This feature form is fragile and slight, which makes them difficult to record using traditional excavation methods. The majority of these features have been discovered over the last decade now that new documentation and exploration tools are available to archaeologists. These constructions are only known from barrow cemeteries and the remains of in situ cremation were also documented in their context. Their occurrence confirms the variety and complexity of funeral rites of the Trzciniec Cultural Circle community. To date, eight structures of this type are known. Four (Barrow 1/I/2010 — Feature 3; Barrow 7/I/2014 — Features 6 and 7; Barrow 2/I/2010/2012 — Feature 1) were registered in the Bukivna cemetery during the Polish-Ukrainian expedition realized by scholars from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kiev, and Vasyl Stephanyk Precarpathian University in Ivano-Frankivsk. The study of archival materials from pre-war excavations conducted by T. Sulimirski and J. Grabowski in Komariv revealed another three features of this type (Barrow 34 — Features A and B; Barrow 45 — Feature 1). One structure of this type (Grave 2) was also excavated in Nieciecz Włościańska in the northeast enclave of the Trzciniec Cultural Circle during recent investment research.
 Due to radiocarbon analysis, the authors have securely established the chronology of these features. The obtained radiocarbon values indicate that these constructions were erected during the classic stage of the Trzciniec Cultural Circle, attributable to the 18 to 16th centuries BC, which was confirmed by archaeological material found within these features.
 The discussion of the function and symbolism of these constructions suggest that they could play the role of burials. This is also suggested by geochemical analysis of soil samples from the Bukivna cemetery. However, due to the lack of osteological material in most of these features, this aspect remains shrouded in mystery and requires additional studies. Regardless, the form, location in barrows, and funerary inventory of these features suggest that they played important role in funeral rites of the Trzciniec Cultural Circle society.
Highlights
The Middle Bronze Age Trzciniec Cultural Circle (TCC) (Makarowicz 2010a, fig. 1) barrows, which are monuments that form their own landscapes and are usually highly visible in the field, hide various under-mound features, the function of which is not limited to the funeral sphere
Sepulchral structures inside the barrows are frequently discovered in different enclaves of this cultural formation, and in recent years have been more broadly interpreted
These constructions were erected beneath the mounds and the remains of fire activity in these contexts suggest the practice of in situ cremation. The chronology of these features confirms that they were erected in the classic stage of the Trzciniec Cultural Circe (TCC) development, when restructuring of earlier the CWC cemeteries primarily occurred in the upper Dniester area
Summary
The Middle Bronze Age Trzciniec Cultural Circle (TCC) (Makarowicz 2010a, fig. 1) barrows, which are monuments that form their own landscapes and are usually highly visible in the field, hide various under-mound features, the function of which is not limited to the funeral sphere. These stones are usually situated in the corners, in the middle of the sides, or along the walls of the constructions, creating unique structures containing a small space inside Eight features of this type have been documented presently in the TCC, most from well recognized contexts. This feature was located in the central-west sector of Barrow 1/I/2010 It was rectangular in shape with dimensions of 1.7 × 0.9 m, the contours of which were marked by ten stones arranged in two parallel rows oriented NNW—SSE The feature was located in the southeast sector of Barrow 7/ I/2014, at a depth of between 1.81 and 1.90 m from the top of the mound It was built from six stones arrange in a rectangular plan oriented NE—SW Calibrated radiocarbon dates from the discussed mortuary features from Nieciecz Włościańska and Bukivna (Oxcal v. 4.4; Bronk Ramsey 2009)
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