Andreyev S.I., Terekhova N.V.

Key words: Mordovian culture on the middle Tsna, Finno-Ugric peoples, cruciform pendant, typology, adornment, charm, chronological indicator.
Mordovian antiquities from the middle Tsna contain numerous cruciform pendants, which are an ethnic identifier. The authors suggest a typology based on the shape and size of the horizontal pieces and on the way they are joined together. These details can be considered chronological indicators of this type of adornment. Cruciform pendants were worn on the chest, most probably as charms. They existed in the middle Tsna region from the 8th to the 12th cc., when they were replaced by new types of adornments.