Relative periodization of the burials and ceramics at the Otverzhichi cemetery of the Zarubintsy culture

He Otverzhichi cemetery of the Zarubintsy culture in the Polesye is one of the most well-known burial sites attributed to this culture. The issue of its periodization was addressed by the scholars. At the same time in both cases the studies were based on the data on fibulae dating built on analogies with relevant materials in southern and central Europe. This paper is the first attempt to develop periodization of the cemetery burials based almost entirely on systemic analysis of the shapes of unbroken clay vessels. To this end, a unique methodology developed by the author was used. Based on this methodology, four periods in the history of the cemetery were singled out which made it possible to identify main development trends in the traditions related to shapes of the vessels made by the local Zarubintsy population within a specified timeline.