MUMMIFIED BURIAL OF A CHILD FROM THE SARYG-BULUN BURIAL GROUND (CENTRAL TUVA). NEW DATA FROM ARCHAEOLOGY, RADIOGRAPHY, ANTHROPOLOGY AND GENETICS

Abstract

In 1988 on the right bank of the Yenisei River in Central Tuva, two burial mounds from the Saryg-Bulun burial ground were excavated. Burial № 5 attracted special attention of archaeologists — it contained the partially mummified remains of a child with a rich and unusual inventory (bow, quiver with arrows, a hat, engraving on a wooden handle) in a wooden block. A recent genetic analysis made it possible to establish, contrary to expectations, the female sex of an individual. Over the years, thanks to the development of natural scientific methods, it was possible to gradually obtain new data on the life and death of this girl. The article presents the results of an examination of the mummy by the method of microfocus digital radiography and a new paleogenetic study, which made it possible to determine the child’s mitochondrial haplogroup (D4g2, which is widespread in East and Central Asia). The rich grave goods indicate the high status. Her biological age was determined — 6–7 years. Indicators of physiological stress (Harris lines), the presence of noticeable physical exertion on the belt of the upper extremities during the child’s life, and rickets were revealed. Radiography made it possible to detect artifacts invisible during a superficial examination, for example, a knife that was previously unnoticed in the deck. Genetic data are consistent with observations on the possible horizontal flattening of the girl’s facial skeleton and the spatula-like shape of her upper incisor. The applied methods and the results obtained allow authors to look in a new light at the issues of the genesis of the Aldy-Bel culture and the theme of childhood in the early Scythian time.