Neolithic and Early Bronze Age of Cis-Baikal: Spatiotemporal Patterns of Cemetery Use

Hunter-gatherer archaeology typically focusses on the details of subsistence strategies and material culture and, in case cemeteries, various aspects mortuary practices, beliefs, social differentiation. This paper aims to look rather at patterns change over time space how past hunter-gatherer cemeteries were used from Late Mesolithic Early Bronze Age (~8600–3500 cal BP) Cis-Baikal region Eastern Siberia. The approach is based a Kernel Density Estimate methodology applied 560 radiocarbon dates obtained for individual burials 65 representing 5 distinct traditions. enables number different types analysis be performed scales: (1) It possible examine overall tempo burial events each cemetery or group cemeteries; (2) Within spatial sequence graves can analyzed further; (3) compare cemetery-specific chronologies within microregional regional context; (4) Although tentatively this time, spatiotemporal pattern use whole visualised. shows that one had its own pattern, some very clear their characteristics, which relate role played local group, population. On scale broader such as shifts frequency between microregions traditions are visible. However, existing sampling biases require caution assessment results future fieldwork will help improve insights. other hand, many have been excavated full comprehensive datasets already provide range entirely new important insights into by Middle Holocene hunter-gatherers Cis-Baikal.