Barangol: A Pazyryk Cemetery on the Lower Katun, Gorny Altai

Barangol: A Pazyryk Cemetery on the Lower Katun, Gorny Altai

A.P. Borodovsky and S.S. Tur.

The article outlines the results of a comprehensive study of human skeletal remains from the Barangol cemetery, Gorny Altai, representing the northern variant of the Pazyryk culture. Archaeological, demographic, craniometrical, osteometrical, and pathological fi ndings are discussed. Results suggest that the Early Iron Age populations of the Lower and Middle Katun River and of southeastern Altai were related by origin, but differed in economic specialization. As well as pastoralism, the northern Pazyryk people widely practiced agriculture.

Keywords: Gorny Altai, Katun River, Early Iron Age, Pazyryk culture, physical anthropology, paleodemography.