Study of the Early Iron Age burial complexes from the Ust-Isha-5 cemetery in 2024

The paper addresses the results of the study of the Ust-Isha-5 burial mound cemetery (located in the foothills ofAltai) during the 2024 field season. Two burial mounds located in the central and southern parts of the necropolis were excavated. A mound from the Early Scythian period was studied in the medial part of the cemetery; excavations confirmed previous data concerning interments of children around the perimeter of the mound and beyond. The child burials represent small rectangular pits oriented along a west-east line and establishing stone stelae around the periphery of the mound. The main grave containing the remains of a single individual was looted in antiquity. The recovered grave goods and specifics of the ritual practice suggest that the excavated features can be attributed to the Early Scythian period in Altai (9th-8th centuries BC). Another mound constructed with stones was excavated in the southern sector of the necropolis. The main burial was looted in antiquity; several cases of grave looting were recorded. Iron elements of warrior's belt, a bronze knife, an earring, a bone arrowhead, and a clasp were uncovered. The details of the burial clothes, personal decorations, and ceramic fragments suggest attribution of the burial to the Bystryanka culture of Altai.