SCYTHIAN GRAVE OF THE MOUND ORLYKOVA MOHILA IN THE SOUTH OF KIROVOGRAD REGION

The article publishes research materials of the Scythian burial intake from the excavations of the mound Orlikova Mogila near the village Bogdanovka, Bobrynetsky district of Kirovograd region (Northern part of the Black Sea Right-Bank Steppe). The grave was built in an earlier mound of the Bronze Age. The Bronze Age burial was located in the center and completely destroyed by Scythian grave. After the Scythian burial, the embankment was significantly enlarged, and also strengthened by stone krepida. By the time of the excavation, the mound had a height of more than 3.0 m and a diameter of more than 30 m. Scythian tomb had dimensions of 4 Ч 3 m and a depth of 2.8 m. From above it was covered with wooden deck and stone laying. Despite the devastating repeated robberies, the monument contains artifacts that can be interpreted as grave of a heavily armed warrior — man of 30—50 years old with a high social status. The deceased was accompanied by two dependent persons. Fragments of a metal shell made of plates, arrowheads, and fragments of two antique amphorae were found in the grave. Of great interest are the finds of bronze parts of a horse harness, located among the stones on the embankment. All these objects have traces of intentional damage, which, undoubtedly, is associated with a certain funeral ritual. Found objects, especially fragments of ancient amphorae, date the Scythian grave at the end of the 5th century BC. The appearance of such structures in the mounds of the Scythian pores in the northern limits of the steppe Black Sea region, apparently, should be associated with the promotion of Scythian nomads from the more southern regions