Наши бесы
Our Demons

Summary/Abstract: The paper is devoted to the typology of the anthropomorphic images of the Neolithic and Early Metal period, which in Russian archeological literature are traditionally denoted by the word “bes” (demon). Interestingly, in Northern Fennoscandia, which is famous for its numerous rock art assemblages, “demons” have been reported only from the sites situated on the territory of Russia. They include Besov Nos (Lake Onega), Besovy Sledki (on the Vyg river), Čalmn-Varrė and Kanozero (Kola peninsula). The first four of the sites mentioned above contain one figure of the “demon” each, with Kanozero being the only complex with nine images of this kind. It is quite possible that the anthropomorps with “demonic” traits known at different sites depict one and the same mythical character in different situations. The only securely identified type of composition with the “demons” is the “Demon with a woman” on Lake Kanozero, the Kola Peninsula.

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