Lysogorskiy cemetery of the end of I mill. ad: first results of interdisciplinary studies

The paper presents a comprehensive study of the Lysogorskiy cemetery dating to the end of I millenium. In 2018-2019 two kurgans were excavated. The forms of funerary constructions as well as fragments of the grave goods are attributed to the Borshevo culture. Similar forms had been discovered at the Lysogorskiy cemetery before. Finds of bone artifacts (plaques featuring zoomorphic images, and pendants) from kurgan 85 are unique. The discovery of a vessel of the Pastyrskoe hillfort type and identification of settlement structures preceding the construction of the kurgan provide a strong case in favor of 8th century as the early period of the Borshevo sites on the Voronezh River. A detailed analysis of the cremated human remains from the graves made it possible to reconstruct specific features of the funerary rite practiced by the population that left behind this cemetery. The study also included analysis of 87Sr/86 Sr from the bone tissue samples and baseline samples. This analysis is unique for the region, its results can be used as comparative data in assessing population mobility.