The “Neophytes” from the Vkhodoierusalimskii Necropolis in Tsarevokokshaisk: historical, archaeological and anthropological analysis

The article offers a historical, archaeological and anthropological analysis of the earliest group of burials from the Vkhodoierusalimskii necropolis in Tsarevokokshaisk. These are burials with grave goods, which are defi ned by the archaeologists as burials of the Christianized Mari. The authors address the specifi c location of the Vkhodoierusalimskii necropolis within the system of other necropolises and religious buildings of Tsarevokokshaisk. They give a brief overview of studies conducted on this necropolis. They specifi cally focus on development of the neophyte Mari group and their settlement in towns and villages surrounding Tsarevokokshaisk. Data are based on source studies in late 16th – 18th c. Mari El con- ducted by the historians. The funerary rite of the Mari neophytes from the Vkhodoierusalimskii necropolis is considered in the context of synchronous Mari funerary sites of 17th – 18th centuries. The article provides description of the main groups of grave goods from its burials. Anthropological analysis includes craniological characteristics of some skulls and overall series. Comparison of these anthropological materials with the earlier studied Mari series points to the lack of any reliable distinctions between the series of burials with grave goods from the Vkhodoierusalimskii necropolis and the mountain Mari of 16th – 17th centuries