Archeological survey in the northern Kulunda steppe in 2023

The article provides a detailed description of remains of ritual structures visible in terrain and morphometric characteristics of four new archaeological sites which were identified during archaeological survey in the northern part ofthe Kulunda steppe. New sites were discovered in the right bank of the Karasuk River and are represented by one burial ground ofthe barrow type (Sorochikha-1) and three complexes belonging to the "burial mound with ‘mustache’” type (Sorochikha-2, Gusinoe-1, and Shkalovo-1). All sites were located close to the river at relatively low altitudes. Sorochikha-1 was on a low terrace, and all three complexes ofthe "barrow with ‘mustache’” type were on the floodplain. Absence ofplowing traces at the sites has made it possible to identify visible features of ritual structures in the terrain as completely as possible. All sites were detected on satellite images during continuous monitoring ofthe territory. The Sorochikha-1 burial ground included two burial mounds with rounded-subquadrangular ditches. Burial grounds of the barrow type similar in topographical and structural terms can be found in the north of the Kulunda steppe and in central part of the Baraba forest-steppe. According to surface finds and excavations, some of these sites can be dated to the Middle Ages (early second millennium AD). Three new complexes ofthe "barrow with ‘mustache’” type have significant length (from 135 to 240 m) and varying preservation degrees of individual components. The greatest destruction was observed at the Gusinoe-1 site where the southern embankment ("mustache”) almost completely disappeared during construction of a communication line and road. Topographical similarities of all four ritual structures make it possible to preliminarily date them to the Middle Ages before more precise data from archaeological excavations.