Mortuary variability of the Sintashta population (search of explanation models)

Our study concerns the cultural variability at the Bronze Age Sintashta mortuary sites in the South Urals area (early II millennium cal BC). Although the observance of the main mortuary canons, variability in the space organization of the cemeteries, grave location, grave structures, composition of sacrificed animals and dead treatment is obvious. Some explanatory models have been suggested in this research. There are chronological and geographical factors, directions of outside communications, cultural genesis and social inequality of population. As the main explanation of mortuary variability the social factor seems the most probable. The rise of the social complexity during the Ural Bronze Age is predominantly related to the Sintashta culture, and clear peak of the cultural variability is observed at the same time.