MAIASP. 2024. No. 16

A.O. Khotylev (Moscow, Russia), A.A. Mayorov (Moscow, Russia), V.S. Sinika (Tiraspol, Moldova) 

Stone slabs from the Scythian graves in the Lower Dniester region

DOI: 10.53737/2713-2021.2024.34.98.004

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Pages: 93—112

The article analyzes 43 stone slabs from Scythian graves on the left bank of the Lower Dniester dated to the 5th — 2nd centuries BCE. They come from male and female burials and were probably used as tables on which various objects were placed. The slabs have different shapes and sizes. A study of the composition of the rocks showed that the slabs were made of clastic (sandstones, quartzites and siltstones), and less often carbonate (limestones) rocks, and all stone material was of local origin. Over time, the number of slabs in Scythian burials in the region increases, and the requirements for the correctness of their shapes and thoroughness of processing decrease, while there is a noticeable tendency to select certain rocks (sandstones with carbonate cement) from which they were made. Most likely, this is due to the natural fracturing of these rocks, which made it easy to obtain slabs of the required size.

Key words: Scythians, graves, the 5th — 2nd centuries BCE, left bank of the Lower Dniester, stone slabs, petrography, rocks.

Received May 10, 2024

Accepted for publication May25, 2024

About the authors:

Khotylev Aleksei Olegovich (Moscow, Russia). PhD in Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University.

E-mail: akhotylev@gmail.com

Mayorov Alexander Alexandrovich (Moscow, Russia). Lomonosov Moscow State University.

E-mail: alex.yora@gmail.com

Sinika Vitalij Stepanovich (Tiraspol, Moldova). Doctor of Historical Sciences, Pridnestrovian State University named after T.G. Shevchenko.

E-mail: sinica80@mail.ru