RESEARCH OF THE CHORNOLISKA CULTURE KURGANS IN THE DNISTER REGION

Two barrows of the late stage of Chornoliska culture were explored near Bernashivka of Mohyliv-Podilskyi district of Vinnytsia region. Mound of kurgan 1 consisted of stones of the various sizes and was rifled. The largest of stones are on a peripheral position and actually restricted the mound on all sides, although the large plates were in the center where they compose something like platform. Some stones were on a periphery. Evidently the mound had a rounded shape. Under the stone mound two graves have been discovered. The primary grave was located in the southern part of the mound in a pit of 1 m deep covered with stone slabs. Dimensions of the pit are 1.9 Ч 1.5 m. According to some observations the pit was covered with tree and stones. The floor was paved with slabs which almost have not survived. The skeleton of adult man lied in a crouched position on his right side, near the body the iron knife with remains of wooden handle was found. A very interesting feature of the grave is the entrance from the north side looks like the round pit with a diameter of 1.25 m, deepened to the bottom of the grave. The second grave was inserted into the mound at the level of the ancient surface. In this grave the skeleton of an adult man with an additional skull was in this grave. The ceramic goblet, the piece of iron pin, two clay spindle whorls, a bowl and fragments of other vessels have been discovered near it. In the center of kurgan 2 the stone grave 1.95 Ч 1.2 m in size and 0.8 m deep from the level of ancient horizon was found. The skeletons of two adults man and woman lied on their right side in a crouched position. Two iron knives, iron fibula, a pin, clay spindle whorl, fragments of vessels were found. Another collective burial was discovered northwest outside the kurgan. Kurgans are dated to the late phase of Chornoliska сulture cf. 9th—8th centuries BC.