Varieties of Catacombs in the Isfara Valley

Types of Catacombs

In light of the latest data, it is necessary to reconsider the classification of catacomb graves. I believe it is important to focus not so much on the length of the dromos, but on the overall configuration of the structure and its dimensions (morphometric feature) and on the peculiarities of the construction. I have identified 5 main types (see Fig. 2).

The Kenkol type - the dromos is narrow and long, positioned perpendicular to the catacomb. It has been found in several burial grounds, but the catacombs of the Kara-Bel burial ground have the greatest similarity to Kenkol (Baruzdin, 1932).

Most of the varieties identified by K.G. Gorbunova (see Fig. 2) are variants of catacombs of the Kenkol type. Usually, catacombs of Gurmiron and Kairagach are also classified under this type. In light of new data and a more thorough morphometric analysis, this conclusion is questionable.

In terms of construction scheme - the dromos perpendicular to the Gurmiron catacomb is similar to Kenkol. However, the former is characterized by dromos of a different shape - not a narrow and long corridor, but a well-like pit of square and rectangular shape. A distinctive feature of the Gurmiron dromos is the presence of two end walls and a horizontal bottom. Another difference is that in these mounds, there is usually one large step, with a height of 60-86 cm. Some differences are also observed in the shape and dimensions of the catacomb chamber. All the mentioned differences are evidently sufficient to distinguish a special Gurmiron type of catacombs in Fergana (Fig. 2, Type X according to I.G. Gorbunova).

Another variety of catacombs has been discovered in the Kairagach and Tashrabat burial grounds in southwestern Fergana. It likely corresponds to Type II identified by G.A. Brykina - with a wide and short dromos (1966). In terms of construction scheme, these catacombs are close to Gurmiron. The difference in the shape between niches is that the dromos in Gurmiron are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The catacombs in Kairagach are more often located at the southern ends of the dromos, as well as in the northwest. Additionally, alongside meridian catacombs, there are graves with a diagonal arrangement of the dromos. Certain differences are noticeable in the metric data. A final judgment on the specific features of catacombs of this type can be made after the publication of a large series of such burials from the Kairagach and Tashrabat burial grounds. However, even now there are grounds to distinguish the Kairagach type of catacombs, which differs from the Kenkol and Gurmiron types (Fig. 2, Types XI-XII according to N.G. Gorbunova).

The catacombs of the Hangiz burial ground sharply differ from the three examined varieties in terms of construction and morphometric indicators. They are characterized by wide and short, yet deep dromos - as if they are significantly shortened dromos of the Kenkol type. They represent a kind of intermediate form between burial mounds and catacomb graves. The Hangiz type (see Fig. 2) was identified by me (1960). N.G. Gorbunova agreed with this. Graves of this type have been found in several sites in the Isfara Valley, in the Karabulak burial ground, in the Ozgor I burial ground (near Osh), and others. This variety of catacombs is widely spread (in 16 burial grounds) in Fergana and is the most characteristic for Fergana monuments.

There is a suggestion to identify another type - the Damkul type of catacombs (Gorbunova, 1981). This is not sufficiently substantiated, as according to all morphometric indicators, these catacombs do not exceed the variants of the Kenkol type.

In total, I am aware of two catacombs of a completely different construction, where the chamber is like an extension of the dromos. This is represented by the unique catacomb of Kara-Bulak, which is inaccurately depicted in N.G. Gorbunova's table - see the reconstruction (Fig. 2), executed by me based on the description of the mound by Yu.D. Baruzdin (1957). The second similar catacomb is noted in the Kuruq-say burial ground, on the periphery of Karamazar (Litvinsky, 1972). Catacombs of this type are more widely spread in other regions of Central Asia and have been named by me "catacombs of the Lyavandak type" (Zadneprovskiy, 1975). Thus, currently, five types of catacombs can be distinguished in Fergana.

It should be noted that the orientation of the dromos and, accordingly, the chamber is not a determining criterion in the classification of catacombs. In the same burial ground, Kenkol, there are dromos oriented along the line of S-N and N-S, along the line of SW-NE and NE-SW, as well as along the line of E-W (Kozhomberdaev, 1963, p. 60).

The curiosities that sometimes arise from the classification method used by N.G. Gorbunova can be judged by the example of the Tura-Tash burial ground, where only five catacombs have been excavated. These five catacombs were divided by N.G. Gorbunova into 4 types. In the Hangiz burial ground, she excavated 11 subtypes, which were distributed into 5 subtypes and all designated with one conditional sign - from I to 3 cases. The actual number of mounds of each type remains unknown.

The classification of earth graves is still underdeveloped, as there is insufficient published material for this. It should be emphasized that only the graves of this group undoubtedly have a local origin. The task of differentiating earth graves belonging to settled agriculturalists and nomads remains relevant. The unification of these monuments into one group is anti-historical, as it contradicts the principle of a concrete-historical approach.

Subterranean burials in the Fergana Valley