THE FAMILY MEMORIAL AND CULT COMPLEX FROM STARA POKROVKA (KHARKIV REGION)

Abstract

Memorial and cult complexes (so called pominбlnyky) are among the poorly studied types of sites of the Saltiv Cultural-Historical Community. They are the evidence of ritual actions dealt to the deceased. Such complexes are usually found within burial grounds, differing by the absence of skeletal remains and the presence of objects associated with the deceased or the participants in the ritual. In 2012, near the village of Stara Pokrovka (Kharkiv Region), on the almost completely destroyed cremation burial ground three rich in artifacts memorial and cult complexes were discovered; they were located adjacent to one another. They were placed in similar earthen pits, between which kitchen utensils were found. This fact, as well as the chronological proximity (mid-8th — early 9th century) of the discovered memorial and cult complexes, suggests that the ritual actions were arranged by members of the same family. The use of the fibulae of identical types allows us to estimate the number of persons in honor of whom the commemorial rites were conducted by members of a single kin group (although it cannot be excluded that they belonged to different nuclear families). The number of items with similar purpose within a single memorial and cult complex makes it possible to suggest the number of persons of the same sex who became the subjects of the commemorative actions in a particular case. The presence or absence of items of male or female use serves as an indicator of the gender of the persons being commemorated. Two out of the three «pominбlnyky» contain a significant amount of weapons and horse harness. The composition of their armament leaves no doubt that the persons for whom the commemorial rites were performed were mounted warriors — the elite of Khazar Khaganate society. The grave goods of memorial and cult complexes also indicate that these mounted warriors differed in wealth and, consequently, occupied different ranks in the military hierarchy. Thus, separate Saltiv culture «pominбlnyky» and memorial and cult complexes in general provide an opportunity to answer a number of important questions concerning the social and economic development of the Khazar Khaganate. They may also serve as markers during the study of family and kinship relations within society — from the gender to the social status of the deceased and their family.