Archaeological and Anthropological Study of the Lost Rural Necropolis of the Yelets Principality

Abstract

This paper introduces for scientific discussion the results of an archaeological and anthropological study of materials from the rural necropolis of Tselykovka 2, left by the population of the 14 th —15th centuries (the Principality of Yelets). This necropolis was located near Yelets mentioned in the chronicle. Since the necropolis was completely uncovered, the article presents the calculated boundaries and area of it, as well as paleodemographic analysis. As a result of studying the stratigraphy of the necropolis, the location of a small wooden church was determined. The article provides a comparative analysis with rural medieval Russian cemeteries. One of the mysteries of the necropolis, which was filled by 1 or 2 generations, were individuals with Mongoloid features. In addition, the physical type of the rural population of the Yelets Principality was reconstructed, which showed the heterogeneity of the group. Injuries of domestic and military nature are described in detail.