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What religious practices are suggested by Andronovo burial sites?
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Central Asian arts
Mongol shaman wearing a ritual gown and holding a drum with the image of a spirit helper, c. 1909.
The Andronovo culture, which flourished during the 2nd millennium BCE, provides archaeological evidence of religious practices typical of food-producing societies. Burial sites associated with this culture suggest the following religious elements:
- Fire and Sun Cults: Excavations indicate that these groups practiced rituals centered on the worship of fire and the sun.1
- Offerings: The presence of bread offerings within burial contexts serves as evidence of ritualized food sacrifice.1
- Social Stratification: While not strictly a religious practice, the use of wooden constructions in wealthier graves suggests that religious or funerary rites were used to designate and reinforce social differentiation among the population.1
These practices reflect the broader cultural development of the Indo-Iranian cultural block, of which the Andronovo complex was a significant part.1