SHAMANISM IN THE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF ANCIENT POPULATIONS IN THE URALS
I. Trushkova
Historical and cultural heritage 2025 DOI: 10.62669/30342139.2025.4.53 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Key points | Argues that archaeological evidence, particularly 'cult complexes' and 'Perm animal style' artifacts, indicates shamanism was a prominent religious practice in the Urals during the Iron Age and beyond. Proposes that the early Iron Age saw the institutionalization of mass shamanic rituals at 'kostischa' sites, while the developed Iron Age saw the emergence of professional shamanism, with later Russian and Tatar populations introducing new elements. |
Abstract
Shamanism, traditionally associated with Siberia, is not merely a form of religious expression but often represents an intermediate stage in the evolution of religious systems. The Urals, encompassing the modern Kirov and Perm regions, provides significant archaeological evidence of shamanic practices dating back to the Iron Age. The reconstruction of shamanistic beliefs and rituals, typically derived from ethnographic data, can be augmented by archaeological finds, particularly the so-called “Perm animal style” artifacts. The analysis of “cult complexes” – archaeological sites featuring burnt bone layers, clay remnants, sacrificial grooves, pits and traces of idol bases and pebble masonry – offers crucial insights into shamanic rituals. These complexes are often oriented to cardinal points and located in specific geographic settings, suggesting a structured approach to religious practice. In the early Iron Age, the archaeological sites of the southern Ural-Vyatka region are characterized by bone layers, particularly evident in the “kostischa” or “bone sides” of the Ananyinsk culture. These structures are believed to have functioned as sanctuaries for mass shamanic rituals. The associated artifacts, including cult and votive objects, as well as plaques of the Perm animal style, indicate a high level of shamanic activity. Anthropomorphic elements begin to emerge during this period, suggesting a gradual evolution of shamanic practices. Shamanism in the Urals was interconnected with other religious forms, such as totemism, metallurgy and other cults. The complex compositions of Perm animal style artifacts from the Lomatovskaya archaeological culture are particularly significant, indicating the development of professional shamanism. The “kostischa” sites serve as possible loci for religious practices, further substantiating the presence of shamanism in the Iron Age. The coexistence of Perm animal style artifacts and ethnographic data supports the conclusion that shamanism was a prominent religious practice in the Urals during the Iron Age and beyond. The archaeological record allows for the tracing of the development of shamanic practices within the context of specific Iron Age cultures. The early Iron Age is marked by the institutionalization of mass shamanic rituals, while the developed Iron Age is associated with the emergence of professional shamanism. The influx of Russian and Tatar populations during the Middle Ages introduced new elements to shamanic practices in the Urals, indicating a dynamic and evolving religious landscape. The distribution of shamanic artifacts and ritual sites across different locations underscores the significance of shamanism as not only a form but also a stage in the development of religious systems in the Urals.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayahuasca Shamanism in the Amazon and Beyond | 2014 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Shamanism as the Original Neurotheology | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Cognitive Neuroscience, Shamanism and the Rock Art of Native California | 1998 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From Culture to Experience: Shamanism in the Pages of the Soviet Anti-Religious Press | 2020 | Historical analysis | |
| Anthropology, Shamanism, and Alternate Ways of Knowing–Being in the World: One Anthropologist's Journey of Discovery and Transformation | 2010 | Reflective essay or personal narrative |