“Sauromato”: Early Sarmatian Differently Oriented Burials (Formulation of the Problem)

The article examines the “Sauromat” and Early Sarmatian joint burials with different orientations using correlation and statistical methods. The analysis involves 149 individuals from 37 burials (28 collective, 9 double/paired) located in the steppe zone from the Tobol-Turgai steppes (Northern Kazakhstan) in the east to the right bank of the Lower Don in the west. The correlation analysis revealed no strict relationship between the signs. However, there is a positive trend in the correlation of southern orientation with weapons and western orientation with “women’s” items and jewelry. Additionally, the southern sector of the orientation is relatively more correlated with burials at the center of the pit/buried soil. The northern orientation is mainly associated with burials of women, children and individuals of low status. The diverse orientation could be influenced by social, gender, age, ethno-cultural, ritual and practical factors. Overall, the interpretation of differently oriented burials is ambiguous, and further research in this aspect of the burial tradition of early nomads is necessary.