Fatyanovo-Balanovo culture
The
Fatyanovo-Balanovo culture, 3200—2300 BC, is an eastern extension of the
Corded Ware culture into Russia. It runs from
Lake Pskov in the west to the middle
Volga in the east, with its northern reach in the valley of the upper Volga. It is really two cultures, the Fatyanovo in the west, the Balanovo in the east.
Settlements are scant, and bear evidence of a degree of fortification. The economy seems to be quite mobile, but then we are cautioned that domestic swine are found, which suggests something other than a mobile society.
As is usual with such ancient cultures, our main knowledge comes from their
inhumations. Shaft graves were evident, which might be lined with wood. The interments are otherwise in accord with Corded Ware practices. Metal objects of Central European provenance were present.
Ethnic and linguistic identity is impossible to ascertain. It has been suggested as a successor to certain elements derived from the (likely Uralic)
Pit-Comb Ware culture acculturated to the Corded Ware horizon. It does not seem to represent a northern extension of the Indo-European
Yamna culture horizon further south. Much later, of course, this area would be occupied by Balts and Slavs.
*
J. P. Mallory, "Fatyanovo-Balanovo Culture",
Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture, Fitzroy Dearborn, 1997.
