Ritual model of «living space for the dead» from the Eneolithic to the Middle Ages (based on materials from settlements in Upper Tobol, Saryarka and Priirtysh)

Abstract

The paper presents materials from settlements with graves. It offers a brief overview of the history of living space for the dead ritual model development. On the basis of ten settlements, belonging to different time periods, groups of burials were identified according to their status in the synchrony and diachrony. The cause of the occurrence of burials in settlements is postulated as determined by the mundane and sacred conditions in the society. The early establishment of this ritual model is attributed to the Stone Age. The sacred character, natural and cultural environment, topographic dependency of the model preserved in the burial traditions of early and late nomads in the Eurasian Steppe. The cult character and topographical dependence of the model were preserved in the funerary traditions of the early and late nomads. The ancient style of the living space combination with burials exists as tribal burial complexes in the area of nomadic seasonal winter settlements of the Modern Time (ethnographic modernity).