Ritual Injuries on the Skulls of Representatives of the Khvalynsk Eneolithic Culture of the Volga Region

Abstract

The article presents data on nonstandard cultural traditions uncovered during the anthropological study of the Khvalynsk Eneolithic culture of the Volga region. Oval/boat-shaped surface defects of bone tissue were discovered on skulls of individuals of mature age. These injuries are specifi c and their origin may be related to the ritual acts done to the individuals during age initiation ceremonies. It is hard to locate known parallels to this cultural phenomenon.