SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE EARLY MEDIEVAL POPULATION IN THE UPPER KAMA REGION (BASED ON EVIDENCE FROM THE NEVOLINO BURIAL SITES OF THE 4TH–9TH CENTURIES)

The article presents the reconstruction of the social structure of the population in the Upper Kama region in the Early Middle Ages, and contains the results of the statistical and combinatory analysis of finds from the burial sites of the Nevolino culture of the 4th–9th centuries AD, which have not been previously used as sources for social studies. Formalized statistical operations and comparative analysis revealed the presence of social groups (strata) in the structure of society, the dynamics of their size and the degree of their polarization as well as elements of the burial ritual that mark the social status of individuals. Materials of ethnographic research make it possible to link the social status during life of those buried with the corresponding ritual and mythological expression.