Yamna - Definition and Overview

The Yamna (from Russian яма "pit") or pit grave culture is a prehistoric culture of the Bug/Dniester/Ural region, dating to the 36th–23rd centuries BC. The culture was predominantly nomadic, with some agriculture practiced near rivers and a few hillforts. Domestication of the horse, cattle, sheep and goat, use of plough and carts is attested. Characteristic for the culture are the burials in pit graves with the dead body placed in a supine position with bent knees.

The Yamna culture is identified with the later Proto-Indo-Europeans in the Kurgan hypothesis of Marija Gimbutas.

Parts of the Yamna culture evolve into the 2nd millennium BC Andronovo culture. See also Beaker culture.