Burial ground of Zarechnoe-1. The bear as a character of real and sacred worlds

Using analysis offaunal remains discovered in "sacrificial ”pits under the mound of barrow No. 25 at the Zarechnoe-1 necropolis, the article discusses one aspect of participation of animals in sacred activities and burial practices among the sub-taiga Salair population of the Bronze Age, focusing on archaeological and osteological evidence associated with bears. The behavioral responses of bears, methods of hunting bears, and a possibility of procuring a bear by specific date are discussed. It is concluded that this was an extremely unlikely scenario for the population of the region. Analysis of traumatic marks on bear remains and typical behavior of bears in a situation of a real threat has shown that technique which killed the bear from the complex under study could only be applied to the animal familiar with the person, accustomed to him, and not perceiving any danger. This circumstance, combined with young age of the animal, indicates that the bear was raised in captivity. Parallels to these sacred actions appear in the rituals of the Amur-Sakhalin version of the "bear festival.” Some parallels also connect tubular beads found in the "sacrificial” pit with necklace on the neck of the animal and elucidate its sacred meaning. It is concluded about deep integration of the migrant cattle breading Andronovo population and autochthonous hunting andfishing groups, borrowing of many aspects of economic and spiritual life from the local dwellers along with a whole range of ideas on sacralization of local fauna and norms of its ritual treatment, manifested in a sensitive sphere of funeral rite.