The Eneolithic cemetery at Khvalynsk on the Volga River

Abstract The genetically attested migrations of the third millennium BC have made origins and nature Yamnaya culture a question broad relevance across northern Eurasia. But none key archaeological sites most important for understanding evolution is published in western languages. These include fifth-millennium Khvalynsk cemetery middle Volga steppes. When first part Eneolithic (Khvalynsk I) was discovered 1977–1979, graves displayed many material ritual traits that were quickly recognized as similar probably ancestral to customs, but without kurgans. With discovery second burial plot II) 120 m south 1987–1988, became largest excavated Don-Volga-Ural steppes (201 recorded graves), dated about 4500–4300 BCE. It has copper assemblage fifth (373 objects) sacrificed domesticated animals (at least 106 sheep-goat, 29 cattle, 16 horses); it produced four polished stone maces from well-documented grave contexts. human skeletons been sampled extensively ancient DNA, basis an analysis family relationships. This report compiles information relevant Russian-language publications archaeologists who site, two whom are co-authors, history excavations, radiocarbon dates, finds, animal sacrifices, maces, genetic skeletal studies, relationships with other steppe cultures well agricultural North Caucasus (Svobodnoe-Meshoko) southeastern Europe (Varna Cucuteni-Tripol’ye B1). described coalescent culture, integrating combining southern elements, hybrid can be genetically, cranio-facial types, exchanged artifacts, social segments within cemetery. Stone symbolized unification integration socially defined at Khvalynsk.