Afanasiev archeological culture

(the 2-nd half of the 3-rd millennium BC).

During the Eneolithic a new archeological culture appeared in the Minusinsk basin. The culture was created by Europoid tribes.

It was called the Afanasiev culture by the well-known archeologist S.A. Teploukhov according to the place of the excavation of the first burial ground under the Mountain Afanasiev in Khakasia.

The population were occupied with cattle-breeding, hunting and fishing. The people made pendants and other small items of copper, silver and gold by cold forging. But the most important tools were made of stone.

They buried their dead in the dirt holes with wooden floorings and earthen mounds (kurgans) over them and then set up an enclosure of sandstone slabs.

The dead were often buried with tools, pottery, ornaments, things which it was thought they would need in the life after death. There were from 1 to 5-8 dead in a burial ground.