New burial ground of the barrow type Novaya Kurya-1 in the Northern Kulunda steppes

Archaeological survey in Karasuksky District of Novosibirsk Region in 2019 resulted in discovering three new archaeological sites - two burial grounds of the barrow type (Novaya Kurya-1 and -3) and cultural remains of a Neolithic settlement (Novaya Kurya-2). Wide-scale magnitometric research was conducted at the Novaya Kurya-1 burial ground over the total area of 23,550 m2 revealing internal structure of burial mounds and archaeological objects without explicit external features in the space between the burial mounds. Geomagnetic data indicated distinctive structure of burial mound 5, which differed from other burial mounds of the necropolis (subrectangular-rounded shape of the ditch and structures under the mound arranged in a row along north-south). In the process of archaeological excavations of burial mound 5, the mound remains, ditch, two burials, and pit from the ritual post outside the ditch (remains of a serge hitching post?) associated with the main burial complex have been fully investigated. Central burial 1 was looted in the ancient times; it contained human remains and individual parts of horse skeleton (scull fragment and bones of four limbs). Judging by the bones which remained in situ, the deceased was buried in the stretched position lying on his back with his head towards the east. Horse remains were placed nearby and were oriented with the scull towards the west. Bronze plate - the base of horse head decoration (head plume) was discovered in the filling of the grave. Burial 2 was intact. The deceased lay in the stretched position on his stomach with his head towards the east. Bronze sub-triangular pendant was found in the area of his lower jaw. Adult males were buried in both graves. Funeral rite and accompanying bronze objects indicate that burial mound 5 belonged to the Middle Ages, when Turkic traditions became widespread among the cultures of the Eurasian steppe and forest-steppe.