Ancient Rus flexed burials at Volyn and outer Subcarpathia territories (according to excavations of XIX– beginning of XX centuries)

According to the body position of the deceased, among the burial monuments of Ancient Rus, there are distinguished flexed burials. In archaeological literature, a certain view is dominated that, in a similar way, with tied limbs, magicians-soothsayers were buried. Most of these complexes were discovered during the excavations of XIX – early XX centuries at Volyn territory and related regions. Namely, the materials of these excavations form the basis of the sample, according to which the author tries to find the answer to the question about the semantic commitment of Ancient Rus flexed burials and its presence in general. Comprehensive analysis of burial complexes is supplemented by medical anatomy data.Among 30 burials that were in the sample, there is complete diversity in the way of placement relative to the horizon, the nature of burial structures, the social status of the buried, their gender and age composition. Among the “flexed deceased” women prevailed, and one of the burials belonged to a child. There were cases of several burials concentration within the same burial ground.Among the burials, two groups can be separated that are quite different from each other: on the side and on the back with the knees raised. Slight differences in the position of the feet under the conditions of burial in most of them had a completely random nature, due to the lack of a clear canon, which would regulate the position of the limbs, during the early stages of Christianization of the peripheral regions of the Ancient Rus state. In some of the complexes, the flexed position (preferably on the side) obviously fixes the posthumous posture of the body, which can be caused by cadaveric constipation or the fire effects. The body acquires a similar position as a result of the posthumous action of fire, which, together with other ceremonial elements, is evidence of the incomplete cremation rite. Thus, the flexed position of the dead during Ancient Rus times cannot be considered as a social marker, and in general – a deliberate ritual action.Key words: Ancient Rus, Volyn and Outer Subcarpathia, funeral rite, flexed position.