FEATURES OF THE FUNERAL RITES OF BOHAI PEOPLE (BASED ON MATERIALS FROM THE LUDINGSHAN BURIAL GROUND)
Authors: АХМЕТОВ В.В. 
Published: September 2024

Могильник Людиншань является одним из крупнейших бохайских могильников. Анализ материалов из этого памятника позволяет прояснить особенности бохайского погребального обряда. Всего на могильнике - 235 погребений. На нем выделено два участка захоронений. На участке 1 зафиксировано 105 могил, из них 58 - грунтовых, остальные - с каменными погребальными конструкциями, включая масштабные каменные склепы. На участке 2 зафиксировано 130 могил, из них грунтовых - 97, остальные - с каменными погребальными конструкциями, причем крупные каменные склепы здесь не встречены. Характерными для могильника являются первичные погребения в сочетании со вторичными, а также коллективные захоронения, широко распространена кремация. Погребальный инвентарь представлен в основном керамическими сосудами, металлическими изделиями (украшения, предметы поясного набора, гвозди). Материалы могильника Людиншань характерны для погребального обряда раннего периода государства Бохай (VIII в.).

The Ludingshan burial ground is one of the largest Bohai burial grounds. The total number of burials at the burial ground is 235. There are two burial areas at the burial ground. In burial site 1, which is located on the western side, 105 graves were recorded, in burial site 2, which is located on the eastern side - 130. The burials at the burial ground are divided into two large groups - ground and stone. Ground graves are divided into: 1) pit graves with ground mound, 2) pit graves with stone lining on the edges of the grave pit, 3) pit graves with stone lining around the grave pit. Stone graves are divided into: 1) stone coffins with a mound, 2) stone coffins with stone lining around the grave pit, 3) stone chambers (tombs) with a mound, 4) stone chambers (tombs) with stone lining around the grave pit, 5) large stone tombs with a mound, 6) large stone tombs with stone lining around the grave pit. Funeral rites are described for 130 graves. However, the rites in 17 graves are characterized as unknown. In total, there are 113 graves with the defined rite. Cremation is the most common rite. It is indicated in the description of 56 graves (49,56 % of the total number of 113 burials with the specified rite). No single primary burials were recorded. Those buried according to the primary rite were located in collective graves, where there were also those buried according to the secondary rite. Secondary burials were found in 8 graves. Single secondary burials were not recorded. One paired secondary burial was found in a stone tomb. The rest of the secondary burials were collective burials. Finds of animal bones in graves were also recorded at the burial ground. Ceramic vessels and their fragments were the most common items of funeral equipment. Mohe molded vessels are the most numerous category of ceramics at the burial ground. Fragments of tiles and end tile discs were also found at the burial ground. In addition to ceramics, the inventory includes metal products and decorations. The burial ground is usually dated to the 8th century because it contains a significant number of pit graves and Mohe molded vessels. However, the Liudingshan burial ground definitely functioned before the end of the 7th century because it contains the burial of Princess Zhen Hui and a grave with glazed vase-shaped pottery (of the Sancai type).