In early 2021 to the south of Dnipro city in central Ukraine, archaeologists discovered a huge ancient structure measuring 7.5 meters in height and 50 meters in width. It was established that it is 5,300-5,500 years old and dates back to the Bronze Age. Some sensationalists wrongfully named it the ‘Ukrainian Stonehenge‘ but it is in fact an ancient burial mound. It is older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza.
According to Dmytro Teslenko, head of the Dnipro Expedition of the Archeological Service of Ukraine the mound is so huge it would be extremely costly and require many workers to complete the structure which is why many people were buried here over a longer period of time. While excavating the kurgan archaeologists uncovered skeletons buried in eleven alcoves. There were also broken jugs. Monumental boulders weighing one ton each encircled the mound.
Inside the kurgan, scientists also uncovered weapons such as battle-axes and clubs, as well as decorated clay pots and wheels that symbolized burial carts. Perhaps the most intriguing and rare discovery was evidence of mummification in one of the ancient burials dating back to the Early Bronze Age. All the internal organs were removed from the body. These are unique archaeological finds in Ukraine, and they provide scientists with knowledge about the people’s lifestyle and their burial rituals.
Based on the grave findings, it is evident these ancient people believed in the afterlife. Some unearthed skulls were “richly decorated and painted with red ochre (red mineral paint). Red ochre coloring was probably a religious ritual, which symbolized continued life after death, and testified to the high status of the deceased.”
The constructors of the mound “placed enormous stone slabs in a circle, which they adjusted manually in order to strengthen the entire structure. The tombstones were cut by hand and transported to the burial place by water, horse cart or possibly sleigh in winter.”
During the excavations, archaeologists uncovered 64 stone boulders, and is is likely that each one of them has its own sacred significance.
According to Yaroslav Yaroshenko, a researcher of the Dnipro Archaeological Expedition, “this cromlech (megalithic construction made of large stone blocks) has two functions. First, the boulders act as a retaining wall to hold back the soil, and second, they are sacred fences, separating the world of the dead from the world of the living”.
Patroclus’ Funeral Rites in The Iliad >
‘Royal Scythia, Greece, Kyiv Rus’ has several detailed descriptions of the Scythian Royal Kurgans in the area of present-day Ukraine.
‘Gardariki, Ukraine’ mentions three outstanding funeral rites of Kyiv Rus dating to the 10th century AD.
