Khvalynsk culture

The Khvalynsk culture was a Bronze Age society that existed around 4300–3400 BCE in what is now southwestern Russia. They were primarily semi-nomadic pastoralists, known for raising livestock like cattle, sheep, and horses. Their communities consisted of small, circular dwellings, and they developed early metalworking skills, especially in copper. The culture is significant for its role in the development of later Eurasian steppe cultures and is associated with early horse domestication. Archaeologically, they left behind burial sites with elaborate graves, indicating social stratification and complex beliefs. Overall, Khvalynsk was a key part of the prehistoric cultural landscape in Eurasia.