To the cultural attribution of the Kurayka burial ground

Archaeological works were conducted at the Kurayka burial ground (Altai Republic, Kosh-Agach District) by the archaeological team of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, SB RAS in 2018. Seven Xiongnu-Sarmatian burials and seven ritual sites were investigated. Samples from wooden burial constructions were taken for analysis; anthropological remains were collected. A total of 51 objects and 49 burials were studied. The new information suggests that certain distribution patterns and types of burial constructions cannot be regarded as the ethnic-cultural markers of the single Bulan-Koba culture. Furthermore, there are no socio-economic, professional or gender determinants of burial location. Variable types of funeral rite indicate a close link with the Scythian traditions and the mixed ethno-cultural composition of the tribes contacting the West (the Sarmatian world) and the East (Xiongnu).