Sarmatian Barrow 1 of Kotlovina I Cemetery on the Left Bank of the Lower Danube

Abstract

Introduction. The paper deals with analyzing the Sarmatian burial complex investigated in 1990 in the barrow 1 of Kotlovina I cemetery located on the western shore of the lake Yalpug, 3 km from the village of the same name in Reni district of Odessa region. Materials. The mound was surrounded by a circular ditch with a single gap in the south. Similar ditches were recorded on the Sarmatian sites of the North-Western Black Sea region, as well as on the territory of Hungary and in the Don region. The burial was made with an offset from the geometric center of the mound, apparently, in order to avoid robbery. The main and only grave was done in a pit with an undercut. The buried man laid under the western wall of the funeral chamber in an elongated position on his back, his head to the north. The accompanying inventory is represented by a red clay pottery jug, which was covered by a handmade lid-bowl, as well as a large handmade pot. A large onehanded red clay pottery jug is of particular interest. Such vessels were widespread in the North Black Sea region, and their findings are known both in funeral complexes and in ancient settlements of the Roman time. The large size of the handmade lid-bowl, as well as the presence of traces of fuliginosity makes it possible to assume its dual purpose: as tableware during life and as a lid of the pottery vessel for the internment. The handmade pot is distinguished by an ornament in the form of impressions on the upper part of the body, forming a triangle. Conclusions. The analysis of the features of the funeral rite and the time of the inventorys existence make it possible to date the barrow to the 2nd – 3rd centuries AD. Grave 1 from barrow 1 of Kotlovina I cemetery clarifies the historical picture of the stay of Sarmatian tribes in the North-West Black Sea region, in particular, on the left bank of the Lower Danube.