A copper cauldron from the Don forest-steppe left bank

A hammered copper cauldron was discovered as a chance find near the village of Berezovka in the Vorobyevsky district, Voronezh Region. The aim of this paper is to introduce this rare find into scientific discourse. The task of this paper is to search for analogies of the cauldron, determine its type, cultural attribution and chronological positions. The methods employed by the study included determination ofthe type ofthe item on the basis of analogies; comparative analysis; and synthesis. As the results of the study demonstrate, this hammered copper cauldron discovered near Berezovka is referred to the «debelt» type of cauldrons singled out by B. A. Rayev. Compared to the known cauldrons of this type, this cauldron has a number of specific traits and shows more similarities with cauldrons from Pompeii. The second half of the 1st-2nd centuries is the most likely period when such cauldrons were used. However, the timeline when these cauldrons were in use is probably longer and includes the second half of the 2nd-3rd centuries AD as well. This type of cauldrons has been found in the tombs of the Sarmatian elite. The Berezovka cauldron is a unique item in terms of some of its traits, it finds analogies in Pompeii. This cauldron was owned by the Sarmatians during the second half the 1st-2nd centuries and, possibly, up to and including the 3rd century.