Razhev D. I., Poshekhonova O. Ye.

Custom of cutting plaits with mediaeval warriors of West Siberia

The article presents results of paleoanthropological investigations regarding craniological data of the VIIIth–XIIth cc. from the Middle Ob basin and Low Irtysh basin. It is established that the taiga mediaeval groups that had left the Sajgatino burial grounds and the Ivanov Mys 1 burial ground had a custom to scalp defeated enemies in order to obtain prestige war trophies. The scalping methods varied from cutting the whole cranium skin to cutting down a plait with a part of cranium.

West Siberia, Middle Ages, the Ust’-Ishim archaeological culture, burial mound, paleoanthropology, trauma, scalping custom.