Igor O. Gavritukhin¹*, Aleksey N. Sviridov¹**, Sergey V. Yazykov¹***.

 Institute of Archaeology RAS, Moscow, Russia
*E-mail: gavritukhin@rambler.ru
**E-mail: a_sviridov@mail.ru
***E-mail: sergei.yazikov2012@yandex.ru

Keywords: Southwestern Crimea, the 1st–5th centuries, cemetery, periodization.

The article publishes data on the cemetery near Frontovoye village (Nakhimovsky district of Sevastopol). During the rescue excavations in 2018, the expedition of the IA RAS examined 228 burials of the last decades of the 1st–the early 5th century. The site is well preserved and excavated completely, which makes it a reference one for studying numerous issues of the history of the barbarian population in the region, and its relationship with Chersonesos and other centres of the Roman Empire. The chronological zones of the cemetery were determined, their dating is confirmed by more than 40 coins. Pit burials with a niche (or, less often, two niches) which is blocked with stones dominate. Additionally, 14 burials with cremated remains were recorded in similar structures. There is one burial of a horse and two burials of dogs. The paper describes main categories of finds in brief including beads; ceramic and glass vessels; weapon including swords and shields; sets of horseriding gear; a variety of jewelry and small household items. A number of objects are made in polychrome styles. The changes associated with the era of the so-called Scythian wars of the mid-3rd century and their consequences are especially remarkable. However, the continuity in its planigraphy, prevailing funeral rites, and a number of categories of the inventory allow the authors

to conclude that the necropolis Frontovoye 3 belonged to single population (community). Obvious are a wide range of connections of these people and their openness to influences; so, incorporation of carriers of other traditions into that community cannot be excluded.

DOI: 10.31857/S086960630009075-1