Yamna/Budzhak Culture of North-West Pontic region: classification and typology of pottery
Yamna/Budzhak Culture of North-West Pontic region: classification and typology of pottery

Summary/Abstract: In publications related to various aspects of Yamna culture, the barrows of the North-Western Pontic region are invariably distinguished as a separate group, characterised by certain features of the material complex. It was the pottery that made it possible to separate the Budzhak archeological culture. However, funerary rites indicate their inclusion in the Yamna cultural and historical community. Currently, there is no unified classification and typology of the pottery of Budzhak culture in scientific literature. Researchers have offered variants of classifications that differ from each other, and the same vessels sometimes receive different names. In this article, we propose a classification of Budzhak culture pottery based on the application of system analysis. This approach allows for a more objective identification of classes, categories, and types of pottery, considering the variability of its individual features (elements) and combining existing classifications. This will help, in turn, to objectively assess the variability of pottery over time. The complex approach to its study, taking into consideration barrow stratigraphy and absolute dating, revealing imports and imitations will allow us to clarify the chronology and periodisation of Budzhak culture. The comparative analysis of a ceramic complex executed based on a comparative-typological method of synchronous cultures will provide the opportunity to define potential communication among the people of Budzhak culture. These problems make it important to find a unified classification and typology of pottery.

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