Ritual complexes of the eastern variant of the Pakhomovo culture: new concepts of interpretation

The article presents the research results of the cultic objects belonging to the eastern variant of the Pakhomovo culture and located at the Tartas-1 burial ground. The set of pits remaining from post-frame structures and cultic structures suggests the existence of a special type of ritual activities associated with sacrifices, among the carriers of the Pakhomovo culture. This is confirmed by the presence of pottery fragments, animal and human bones, and ocher in the filling of several pits. The presence of objects associated with bronze casting was of great importance, which is confirmed by the discovery of large burnt pits containing the fragments of bronze lumps and technical ceramics near the ritual complexes. The location of the cultic complexes on the periphery of the necropolis of the eastern variant of the Pakhomovo culture allows us to connect these objects with funeral rituals, and interpret the whole complex as a communal sanctuary.