Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia 46 (2) 2018   DOI: 10.17746/1563-0110.2018.46.2.131-139

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Remains of Brown Bear (Ursus arctos L.)
from the Kaninskaya Cave Sanctuary in the Northern Urals

P.A. Kosintsev¹, O.P. Bachura¹, and V.S. Panov²

¹Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Marta 202, Yekaterinburg, 620144, Russia

²Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia

Fossil remains of brown bear from Kaninskaya Cave in the Northern Urals are described. These were accumulated during the Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and Late Iron Age as a result of human activity. We analyze the composition of the skeletal elements and the nature of their fragmentation. The sex and age of the individuals whose bones were apparently used in rituals are assessed, and the seasonality of these ceremonies is evaluated. The main focus of ceremonial actions during all chronological periods was a bear’s head. Crania and mandibles were cracked into several parts in one and the same fashion. Other skeletal parts were used much less often. Most postcranial bones were likewise broken into several pieces. Such practices differ from modern Ob Ugrian bear rituals. In the Bronze Age, heads of adult male and female bears were used, and the ceremonies were performed mostly in winter, less often in summer and autumn, and very rarely in spring. In the Iron Age, too, heads of adult animals, mostly males, were used, and ceremonies were held throughout the year, but most often in summer and in winter. Seasonal bear rites were not practiced. Certain elements of rites, differing from those of modern Ob Ugrians, are reconstructed. Modern Ob Ugrian bear rituals were formed in the Late Iron Age.

Keywords: Ural, brown bear, sanctuaries, ceremonies, Bronze Age, Iron Age