Sungir

Welcome to the outskirts of Vladimir, Russia, at the Sungir archaeological site. As a scholar of prehistory, I invite you to step back over 34,000 years into the Upper Paleolithic era. …

Begin your journey at the site overlooking the Klyazma River. In 1955, this was a simple clay quarry, but the discovery of a human cranium changed everything. …

Let us consider the grave of the adult male, who died between the ages of 35 and 45. His burial is a staggering display of wealth and ritual. …

We now come to the most famous and enigmatic find at Sungir: the double burial of a boy and a girl, interred head-to-head. This unique positioning has fascinated archaeologists for decades. …

Move to the area that likely served as a workshop for the Sungir people. The abundance of artifacts found here suggests that this was a center of high-level craftsmanship. …

As you explore the site, consider what these burials tell us about the Paleolithic world view. The team of researchers who analyzed the remains concluded that at least three different forms of burials were practiced here: lavish…

The final stop on our walk is the area near the site entrance, where we can reflect on how Sungir is preserved today. While the site itself is a quiet field near Vladimir, the artifacts have traveled as far as the Novosibirsk…

As we conclude our tour of Sungir, we return to the central theme: what does it mean to be human? 34,000 years ago, the people here were already living in a society with social differentiation, complex burial rituals, and a high…

Our deep-dive into the Paleolithic world of Sungir is complete. We have explored the discovery of this ancient settlement, the breathtaking burial of the Sungir Man, and the mysterious head-to-head internment of the two children. …