Pebbles in the ritual and ceremonial activities of the ancient population

Stone pebbles are found on almost all archaeological sites of different eras. Finds of pebbles on cultic sites of various types clearly indicate not only their use in rites and rituals, but also that they were certain symbols in the cult activity of ancient man. Until now, the use of pebbles in funeral rites is a little-studied aspect. In burials, finds of both separate pebbles and entire clusters are known. One can see the connection of pebbles with a certain color, most often black, white, and red. Finds of whole and split pebbles are often presented in cult complexes of different types: in hoards, in sacrificial pits, under rock paintings, and on cult sites. On the sanctuary of the Glyadenovskaia culture, numerous clusters of pebbles and paving stones made of them are known. Sometimes pebbles were used as pendants. Undoubtedly, the pebbles with engraved drawings and geometric signs carried the sacred meaning. The pebbles in the form of animal figures were the original artwork of pictorial activity of ancient man. The semantic content of the pebbles in each case had its own special meaning.