Koksharovka-8 — a Unique Medieval Burial Complex in Primorye Cover Image

Кокшаровка-8 — уникальный погребальный комплекс эпохи средневековья в Приморье
Koksharovka-8 — a Unique Medieval Burial Complex in Primorye

Author(s): Nikolay A. Kluyev, Igor Yu. Sleptsov, Alexander L. Ivliev
Subject(s): History, Archaeology, Cultural history, Middle Ages, 6th to 12th Centuries
Published by: Издательский дом Stratum, Университет «Высшая антропологическая школа»
Keywords: Primorye; Early Middle Ages; Balhae state; Koksharovka-8 funerary complex site; grave goods
Summary/Abstract: In 2012—2015, the Koksharovka-8 burial complex site having no analogy in Primorye medieval archeology was investigated. The remains of a monumental building of rectangular shape, 15 × 16 m built of stone slabs were studied. The design features of the structure and stages of its construction were identified. The studies have shown that a high-ranking nobleman was probably buried there. This is evidenced by both the monumental character of the structure and the nature of the grave goods, including items made of precious metals, most of which were looted by robbers as early as in the Middle Ages. The monument is directly related to the Koksharovka-1 hill fort site, where similar ceramic material has been discovered. Based on the study of the artifacts and radiocarbon analysis data, the burial complex may be tentatively dated to the 10th—11th cc.