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Large Baptismal Crosses (“ Cossack Crosses ”) as a Source for Reconstructing Migration Routes to Western Siberia
https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2026.54.3.085-094
Abstract
This study attempts to reconstruct migration routes to Western Siberia and identify source regions on the basis of analysis of “Cossack” baptismal crosses larger than 52 mm by 48 mm. Their importance stems from the fact that Cossacks played a key role in the colonization of Siberia. The term “Cossack baptismal cross” is known from the notebook of A.P. Serov, a foundry master from Krasnoye Selo—a document used by many experts in sacred pendants. A representative database was compiled to conduct a comparative analysis of the geographic distribution of these items. It includes information on baptismal crosses from the State Catalog of the Russian Federation Museum Fund, as well as staurographic collections from the Novosibirsk, Omsk, and Irkutsk regions. The use of a standardized classifi cation method made it possible to conduct a statistical analysis to determine the geographic distribution of various types of crosses. A trend was identifi ed showing a decrease in typological diversity with increasing distance from the central regions of Russia toward the periphery. Regions identifi ed as sources of migration have been determined. In particular, among the baptismal crosses found at Modern Age cemeteries in Western Siberia, certain types have been identifi ed whose origins are linked to traditional Old Believer centers in Russia and specifi c central regions. In this context, the baptismal cross can be viewed as a confessional marker and a new source for studying migration processes. In terms of dimensions, not a single cross (among more than 1500) matched those described in Serov’s notebook. Apparently, rather than being a universal reference, this document is a sample limited in space and time.
Keywords
Supporting agencies: This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Project No. 25-28-00643 “Funeral Culture of the First Settlers of the Modern Territory of the Novosibirsk Region”.
About the Author
I. V. Salnikova
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Salnikova I.V., Senior Researcher
Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
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Review
For citations:
Salnikova I.V. Large Baptismal Crosses (“ Cossack Crosses ”) as a Source for Reconstructing Migration Routes to Western Siberia. Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia. 2026;54(3):85-94. https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2026.54.3.085-094
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