The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology

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Maikop, Russia

Maikop, Russia (Maykop) [Si].
Exceptionally rich kurgan grave of the early Kuban Culture dating to the mid 3rd millennium bc situated in the Kuban Valley of the northern Caucasus. The barrow, which is 10m high and over 200m in circumference, was excavated in 1897 and found to contain a timber mortuary house over a stone pavement, divided into three sections. The central section contained the burial of an adult male sprinkled with ochre and laid under a canopy with gold and silver supports. In each of the two flanking compartments was the burial of a woman. Overall, the burial is interpreted as that of a king, prince, or very important person accompanied by his wife or wives. Grave goods included tools and weapons of copper, gold ornaments, gold vessels, and silver vases engraved with animal scenes. The metalwork shows links with Mesopotamia and southwest Asia. Two of the vessels are decorated with engraved figures of mountains, streams, animals, and birds...

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