Tumulul 10 de la Burlăceni (r-nul Cahul)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52603/RA.XXII.1.2026_24Cuvinte cheie:
Burlăceni, barrow, stratigraphy, Bronze Age burials, paleoanthropological data, dental wear analysisRezumat
In 2022, the National Archaeological Agency conducted preventive archaeological investigations at barrow no. 10 in Burlăceni. The barrow had a diameter of approximately 40 m and a height of 0.7 m. During the excavations, 17 graves were discovered. The barrow is characterized by a simple stratigraphic structure, consisting of a single mound raised above grave no. 17 of the Yamnaya culture. Subsequently, graves no. 2, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14, and 15, also attributed to the Yamnaya culture, were constructed. These were mainly dug as rectangular pits, some with steps, arranged around the primary grave. Grave no. 12, probably dating to a later horizon of the Yamnaya culture, partially disturbed the step of grave no. 13. The next cultural and chronological horizon is represented by graves no. 3 and 10, belonging to the Mnogovalikovaia culture of the Middle Bronze Age. Grave no. 3 contained a jar-type vessel specific to this culture, while grave no. 10 yielded a fragment of a bone buckle, also characteristic of this cultural group. Graves no. 8, 9, and 16 can likewise be attributed to the Middle Bronze Age. The ditch and the feature excavated within it, identified near graves no. 6 and 10, can be dated to the Middle or Late Bronze Age, but are later than the aforementioned burials. Grave no. 6, which contained two ceramic vessels, can be attributed to the Sabatinovka culture. The most recent graves in the barrow, numbered 1 and 11, contained individuals laid supine, oriented with the skull to the southwest, and are attributed to a medieval Turanic population. The paleoanthropological analysis of the osteological material was carried out using established specialized methodologies. The biological age at death for individuals under 20 years old was estimated based on dental eruption, skeletal development, and bone dimensions. For adults, age estimation relied on a combination of morphological and degenerative criteria. Sex determination was based on cranial and pelvic features, while stature was reconstructed using long bones, revealing differences between male and female individuals. In addition to the paleoanthropological data, the study also presents information on dental wear and non-metric dental traits. Dental wear was assessed using standardized methods and classified into three main stages. The results indicate predominantly moderate to advanced wear, especially on molars and incisors. Differences in wear patterns reflect the influence of diet and behavioral activities. Among Yamnaya individuals, dental fractures occur more frequently on anterior teeth, suggesting non-masticatory uses. In contrast, individuals of the Mnogovalikovaia culture show more pronounced wear associated with a highly abrasive diet. Medieval Turanic individuals display variability in dental wear mainly related to age at death. Non-metric dental traits were analyzed using the ASUDAS system, identifying features such as Carabelli’s cusp, the protostylid, and various cusp and groove patterns.
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