Neolithic burial of a dog on Olkhon Island (lake Baikal)

Dmitry E. Kichigin; Кичигин Д. Е.; Alexey M. Klementyev; Клементьев А. М.

doi:10.31857/S0869606324010098

Neolithic burial of a dog on Olkhon Island (lake Baikal)

Authors: Kichigin D.E.¹, Klementyev A.M.²
Affiliations:
1. Irkutsk National Research Technical University
2. Institute of the Earth’s Crust, Siberian Branch RAS
Issue: No 1 (2024)
Pages: 139-151
Section: PUBLICATIONS
URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0869-6063/article/view/258231
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S0869606324010098
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ZVXLEM
ID: 258231

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Abstract
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Abstract

In 2022, archaeological activities were conducted to clarify the boundaries of the multilayer Unkhrug 1 site located on Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal). In the lowest layer of one of the test pits, a burial of an ancient dog in an artificial pit was found with the remains of a red deer. This find is very rare for the Neolithic of the Baikal region. A morphometric study of bone remains, a comparative analysis with other skeletal materials, and radiocarbon and isotope analyzes were conducted. The data obtained made it possible to establish the individual characteristics of the buried dog and its possible diet. An individual burial with a ritual meat part of a red deer carcass inside indicates the special significance of this individual for the Neolithic inhabitants of Olkhon Island.

Keywords

Baikal region, Olkhon Island, the Neolithic, site, burial, dog, red deer

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About the authors

Dmitry E. Kichigin

Irkutsk National Research Technical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: kichkok@rambler.ru
Russian Federation, Irkutsk

Alexey M. Klementyev

Institute of the Earth’s Crust, Siberian Branch RAS

Email: klem-al@bk.ru
Russian Federation, Irkutsk

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