Dongheigou and Heigouliang burial grounds in northeastern Xinjiang (China)

The article analyzes materials from Dongheigou and Heigouliang burial grounds of the 7th-3rd (2nd) centuries BC, located in Hami and Balikun settlements area (northeastern part of Xinjiang, China). Particular attention is paid to the Heigouliang burial ground of the 5th-3rd (2nd) centuries BC explored in 1993-1994 but, in fact, unknown to archaeologists outside of China. At present, this is the only large east Xinjiang Caucasian single-culture burial ground where inventory and animal style almost completely correspond to the Scythian-Siberian circle cultures in Kazakhstan, Sayan-Altai, and Xinjiang. These include medal-shaped and side-looped mirrors widespread from Altai to Transbaikal. Belt fittings details, “vorvorka”, hairpins, and bell-shaped pendants as well as an ornament in the form of an “asymmetric leaf’ on the hooks, which is the most typical of the Pazyryk culture have approximately the same range of analogies. Stylized beak-shapedfigures and earrings found in the 5th-3rd centuries BC sites from the Urals to Northern China have the widest range of parallels. However, Heigouliang burial ceramic vessels and burial rite have local forms that existed in the Hami region already in the 7th century BC or possibly earlier. The sites from Hami outline the southern part of the Caucasian Scythian cultures distribution area including the western part of Mongolia burial grounds-the Pazyryk culture near the boundaries with the Altai Republic (Russia) and the Chandman culture near the borders with Tyva Republic (Russia).