Holy Lakes of the Urals and Western Siberia (Based on Ethnographic and Archaeological Sources)

Sacred places of northern peoples were very often associated with water: lakes, swamps, rivers, backwaters, rifts, whirlpools, etc. Lakes were the largest natural objects that were included in the sacred practice of the local population. They often had some special features that predetermined their importance in the spiritual life and religious practice of the peoples living near them. For many peoples, such lakes were perceived as places of localization of the chaotic forces of the lower world. The “master” or “spirit” of the lake symbolized one of the representatives of mythical creatures, through whom the interrelationships between the human world and the forces of the lower world were maintained. However, holy lakes existed not only in recent times, but also in ancient times. This is evidenced by archaeological finds at the bottom of lakes, which are still few in number. Analysis of the found items showed that all of them were intentionally left in the water and were sacrifices to the “spirit” or “master” of the lake. The presence of specific finds on the bottom of lakes in the form of works of art, metal products, whole vessels and animal bones emphasizes the sacrificial nature of such finds. Those lakes on the shores of which the ancient population placed peculiar cult centers were also sacred. Such cult centers are characterized by the presence of burials, places of worship, ritual “hoards”, a large number of objects of non-utilitarian purpose and jewelry.