On the Elite Burials of the Nomads of the Early Sarmatian Period (2nd – 1st Centuries BC)

The article discusses the funeral complexes of the elites of the nomads from various regions of Sarmatia of the 2nd – 1st centuries BC. The main criterion for identifying burials of the nobility is a high concentration of status items – symbols of power: ceremonial weapons and horse harness, jewelry and luxury items of gold and silver, sets of imported metal and glass dishes, etc. Among the elitist complexes, burials of undoubtedly royal rank were identified: Novozavedennoe V kurgan 1, burials 7 and 30; Dyadkovsky-34 kurgan 1, burial 19; Ipatovo-3 kurgan 2, burial 14; Volzhsky burials 2, 3, and 4; Mayorovsky kurgan 4, burial 3-B; Prokhorovka kurgan 1, burial 1; and Nogaychinsky burial 18. These stand out for their luxury and the number of inventory, quite comparable to the burial complexes of the highest nobility of the Middle Sarmatian and Late Sarmatian periods. A number of burials slightly inferior in wealth, which may belong to both kings and the highest aristocracy (sceptuchi), are adjacent to this group. In addition, a large number of burials were probably left by lower-ranking aristocracy, also containing ceremonial weapons, imported dishes, prestigious and expensive jewelry, etc., but usually in small quantities, one or two items. In addition, obviously not ordinary burials of a pronounced military appearance were found, but without insight of power, objects of luxury and jewelry. The analysis shows that the society of the early Sarmatians was most likely at the stage of transition from a ranked to a stratified society. The structure of the elite part of society was clearly complex and did not come down to a two-level vertical power structure described by Strabo. A special section discusses the titles of Sarmatian rulers known from narrative sources, as well as from numismatics and epigraphic data, and provides possible parallels with the social and military structure of the Parthian society.