Oldest necropolis in the Altai region discovered

Archaeologists from the State University of Altai and Kemerovo State University have discovered the oldest necropolis in the territory of Altai, with sculptures unique to the region, reports TASS.

Credit: AltaPress

Sergey Grushin, a professor at the University of Altai, said that during the last five seasons, specialists have been working in the necropolis in Zalesovski district, where they had buried people during different historical periods. "Here were found about 20 of the oldest burials in the region of Altai, dating from 6,000 BC, during the Neolithic period", he said.

According to the professor, the most interesting finds were made during the last two seasons of work: a dagger pommel sculpted in the shape of a moose's head, a fragment of a stone-made fish and the oldest preserved remains of a tree in Altai, which is nearly 8,000 years old. The sculptures are unique to the region, say archaeologists.

One of the oldest burials, associated with nomadic culture, represents a great archaeological interest because it contains the remains of two young women buried one on top of the other. "The lower burial is quite wealthy, we have dubbed her 'Princess of Chumish'," Grushin told the local media. "Although she is not really a princess, but simply a member of a noble family," he added.

Elements of the clothes and various decorations of the 'princess' were very well preserved. The second young woman was buried unadorned, so it can be deduced that she was her subordinate or servant. 

Source: TASS [November 06, 2017]