Konstantin N. Gavrilov^1,*, Yaroslav V. Kuzmin^2,**, and Daria I. Chechushkova^1,***

¹Institute of Archaeology RAS, Moscow, Russia
²Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia

*E-mail: k_gavrilov.68@mail.ru
**E-mail: kuzmin@fulbrightmail.org
***E-mail: cadocerebrum@mail.ru

Keywords: Early Upper Paleolithic, Sungir, burial complex, archaeological stratigraphy and planigraphy, radiocarbon method.

The article is focused on determining the possible radiocarbon age of the burial complex of the Sungir site. The results of the study are based on data obtained from O.N. Bader’s field documentation. The spatial structure of the cultural layer at excavation unit II and adjacent areas of excavation unit I were re­constructed, and the levels of origin of grave pits 1 and 2 were determined as well. The spatial position of animal bone samples, from which 14C dates were obtained, was analyzed. The 14C dates between 26 000 BP and 29 000 BP should be considered as the most representative for estimating the age of graves at this moment. The 14C dates from 27 000 to 29 000 BP are acceptable for burials of a man (S-1) and children (S-2 and S-3), with a preference for values of about 28 000 BP, while the 14C date of about 26 000 BP is acceptable for the skull S-5 and, respectively, for the upper level of graves 1 and 2.

DOI: 10.31857/S0869606324040022, EDN: KJMJJK