Armed Children: Burials of Boys with Ceremonial Weapons in the Black Sea Region and on the Rhine (Late 4th — First Half of the 6th Centuries) and the First Battle of Prince Svyatoslav

Archaeological evidence reveals rare and prestigious burials of boys with ceremonial weapons from the late 4th to the first half of the 6th centuries, indicating their high social status in pre-state and early state societies. Two notable graves—one in Abkhazia (Tsibilium 1, burial 61) and another in Cologne Cathedral (burial 809)—stand out due to their exceptionally rich weapon sets, suggesting these individuals held the highest positions in their societies. Additionally, historical accounts describe armed children appearing on battlefields, not as combatants but to perform ritual actions or symbolically replace fallen fathers, such as during Prince Svyatoslav's first battle (946). The study combines archaeological analysis with historical records to shed light on elite burial customs and symbolic roles of children in early medieval warrior societies.

Kazanski, M., Mastykova, A.,. (2023). Armed Children: Burials of Boys with Ceremonial Weapons in the Black Sea Region and on the Rhine (Late 4th — First Half of the 6th Centuries) and the First Battle of Prince Svyatoslav. Stratum plus. Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology, (5), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.55086/sp2353747