Issues of Chronology and Periodization for the East Manych Culture: Analyzing Materials from Mounds of Chogray VIII

Goals. The article suggests a periodization of the East Manych Catacomb culture (EMCC). The first periodization consisted of groups of sites supposed to be archaeological cultures. The accumulation of materials made it necessary to use cultural definitions. And this gave rise to the East Manych Catacomb culture. But the large number of catacombs (catacomb types) required further differentiation. Materials and methods. The relative chronology of Middle Bronze Age catacomb burials in the Eastern Fore-Caucasus is established through stratigraphic analysis and correlations with technological and typological changes in ceramic funerary assemblages. The study focuses on sidelong burials in sub-mound Middle Bronze Age catacombs of the East Manych Catacomb culture. Results. The analysis into the examined grave sites of the Catacomb culture has yielded somewhat unexpected results. The depth of the burial chamber in relation to the entry pit has proved to correlate with both catacomb types and pottery technology and shapes ― and serves a chronological feature. So, T-shaped catacombs with chamber pit depths between 0 to 20 cm in relation to that of the entry pit contained red-ochre engobed vessels and censers on four-petal feet with vivid corded ornamental patterns, triangular and cylindrical estampages. In H-shaped catacombs with the mentioned parameter being over 1 m, the ornamental patterns on vessels virtually disappear, their molding materials and shapes change significantly. Censers of the East Manych Catacomb culture also tend to correlate with the two catacomb types, and evolutionize toward poorer and even absent ornamental patterns, reshaped feet with squared or rounded basements which was never mentioned before. Cups from the catacomb of Chogray 3/2 are identical to samples from Nogir, and attest to the early movement of Catacomb culture bearers toward the south of the Fore-Caucasus. Conclusions. The first stage demonstrates genetic and areal links between steppe and piedmont populations and corresponds to the initial phase of the Kuban-Terek culture, thus coinciding with the completion of dolmen construction. The later stage is marked by the advance of the EMCC population into the North Caucasian foothills followed by its disappearance.

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