THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IN ANCIENT KHOREZM CEMETERIES

Аннотация

Ancient Khorezm religious beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife significantly influenced the formation of burial rites and, consequently, the reflection of social stratification in archaeological sites. This article examines the relationship between religious beliefs, primarily Zoroastrianism, and the specifics of burial practices in ancient Khorezm cemeteries. The article analyzes burial types, grave goods, architectural features of the cemeteries, and differences in rituals depending on the social status of the deceased. Particular attention is paid to the role of the priesthood and nobility, as well as the status of ordinary community members and marginalized groups. Based on archaeological data, it is concluded that the funeral rite in Khorezm was not only a religious act but also an important mechanism of social representation.