Ipatovo kurgan
The Ipatovo kurgan rises near the town of Ipatovo in Stavropol Krai, Russia. It sits some distance northeast of the city of Stavropol itself. This earthen structure stands as one of the largest burial mounds in the region. Excavators found it completely investigated during the years 1998 and 1999. The work revealed thirteen distinct phases of construction spanning from the 4th millennium BCE to the 18th century.
Archaeologists uncovered evidence of thirteen separate building stages within the mound. These layers stretch back to the late 4th millennium BCE. The first grave may have been a burial belonging to the Maykop culture. Later graves destroyed this earliest layer. The earliest extant grave contained two young people buried in a sitting position. They date to the late 4th millennium period.
The large Ipatovo mound displayed three wagon burials of the Early and Late Catacomb cultures. Researchers Reinhold, Gresky, Berezina, Kantorovich, Knipper, Maslov, Petrenko, and others documented these findings in their 2017 study. Hans J. J. G. Holm also examined wheel finds in his 2019 publication. These artifacts connect cattle owners and wagon drivers across Eurasia between 5000 and 1500 BCE. The presence of wagons suggests significant mobility for these groups.
On top of the kurgan was a Sarmatian grave from the 3rd century BCE. A woman had been buried here in extended position on her back. She lay together with an exceptionally rich treasure of grave-goods. Six solid golden necklets rested near her body. Two golden spiral bracelets adorned her arms. Two golden finger rings made from Hellenistic coins sat on her hands. A gilded wooden cup decorated with zoomorphic figures accompanied her. A short sword with gold-decorated pommel lay nearby. A gold-covered scabbard protected the weapon. A sheet gold buckle and a gilded wooden cosmetics container were present. Clay vessels filled out the collection. The presence of a weapon in a woman's grave is not an unusual feature in Sarmatian contexts.
In the final phase, over one hundred simple graves were dug into the southern slope of the barrow. These burials probably date to the 18th century. They belong to the nomadic Turkic Nogai people. This layer represents the last use of the site before modern times. The simplicity of these graves contrasts sharply with the earlier wealthy interments found higher up. Archaeologists documented this final layer during their complete investigation of the mound.
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Common questions
Where is the Ipatovo kurgan located?
The Ipatovo kurgan rises near the town of Ipatovo in Stavropol Krai, Russia. It sits some distance northeast of the city of Stavropol itself.
When was the Ipatovo kurgan excavated?
Excavators found it completely investigated during the years 1998 and 1999. Archaeologists documented this final layer during their complete investigation of the mound.
What cultures are represented at the Ipatovo kurgan?
The work revealed thirteen distinct phases of construction spanning from the 4th millennium BCE to the 18th century. These layers include burials belonging to the Maykop culture, Early and Late Catacomb cultures, Sarmatian people, and nomadic Turkic Nogai people.
Who discovered the wagon burials at the Ipatovo kurgan?
Researchers Reinhold, Gresky, Berezina, Kantorovich, Knipper, Maslov, Petrenko, and others documented these findings in their 2017 study. Hans J. J. G. Holm also examined wheel finds in his 2019 publication.
What grave goods were found in the Sarmatian burial at the Ipatovo kurgan?
Six solid golden necklets rested near her body while two golden spiral bracelets adorned her arms. Two golden finger rings made from Hellenistic coins sat on her hands alongside a gilded wooden cup decorated with zoomorphic figures.