A man buried in Russia in the Neolithic era

The Don Culture of Northern Mariupol is a significant archaeological and cultural entity from the early European epoch, approximately situated during the Copper Age or Eneolithic period, around 4500 to 3500 BCE. This culture is closely associated with the expansive steppe regions of Eastern Europe, particularly near the Sea of Azov, which is in present-day southeastern Ukraine and southwestern Russia. The culture reflects a complex interplay of indigenous developments and external influences due to its strategic positioning along the trade routes between the East and West.

Geography and Environment

The Northern Mariupol region, characterized by its rolling steppes, rich black soil, and proximity to the Sea of Azov, provided a fertile backdrop for the development of the Don Culture. The area’s rivers, such as the Donets, supported the settlement and agriculture, while the steppe allowed for expansive pastoralism.

Economy and Subsistence

The Don Culture's economy was based on a mixed subsistence strategy that included agriculture, pastoralism, fishing, and hunting. They cultivated cereal crops like wheat and barley and domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The exploitation of river and sea resources indicates the use of fishing techniques and possibly early trade or exchange networks involving marine products.

Settlements and Architecture

Archaeological findings suggest semi-permanent settlements with circular or oval pit-houses partially dug into the ground, providing insulation against the region’s climatic extremes. These dwellings were typically constructed using timber frames with wattle and daub walls, topped with thatched roofs, showcasing an understanding of local resources and environmental adaptation.

Social Structure and Organization

The social structure of the Don Culture was likely organized around extended family units or clans. Evidence from burial sites, such as the Sokolaki and Dereivka sites, provides insights into social differentiation, possibly hinting at emerging social hierarchies. Burials often included grave goods, which could indicate the status or profession of the individuals.

Material Culture and Artifacts

The material culture of the Don Culture is distinguished by its pottery, characterized by simple shapes and decorative motifs including incised and impressed geometric patterns. Stone tools, particularly large bifacially worked projectile points, knives, and scrapers, were prevalent.

Unique to the region were their metal artifacts; the Don Culture were among the first to develop and use copper tools and ornaments, marking a significant technological advance over their Neolithic predecessors.

Religion and Spirituality

The spiritual life of the Don Culture is inferred from burial practices and grave goods. Burials were accompanied by offerings of pottery, tools, and ornaments, suggesting a belief in an afterlife. The presence of animal remains in graves may indicate ritualistic feasting or totemic beliefs associating certain animals with spiritual meanings.

Interaction and Influence

The Don Culture was not insular; it exhibited connections with neighboring cultures through trade networks that spread ideas and goods, such as copper metallurgy, far beyond their homelands. Influences from or exchanges with cultures like the Cucuteni-Trypillian to the west or Khvalynsk and Samara to the east may have provided technological, cultural, and artistic stimuli, contributing to the complexity of their society.

Legacy and Impact

The Don Culture’s development of early metallurgy set the foundation for future advances in the Bronze Age. Their innovations in settlement patterns, economy, and social organization influenced subsequent cultures in the region, contributing to the cultural mosaic of prehistoric Europe.

Overall, the Don Culture of Northern Mariupol exemplifies the dynamic interplay of adaptation, innovation, and interaction that characterized early European societies and underscores the importance of the steppe regions in the broader prehistoric narrative.