Golden Horde Burials of the Volga-Manych Steppe

Abstract

Goals. The article examines Golden Horde nomadic burials explored across the Volga-Manych steppe. Materials. The work analyzes materials from 90 burials dated to the 13th – 15th centuries AD. Results. The mentioned territory comprises three large geographical zones. The examined burials are located in different topographic areas but basically tend to cluster within Bronze Age mound groups. The study results in certain conclusions regarding the nomads’ ethnic history and their geographical distribution across the territory under consideration. So, the largest numbers of such monuments have been registered in the Ergeni Upland, in the Sarpa and Caspian Lowlands. The burials largely form groups, while single complexes are rare enough.