THE CULT OF THE AUROCHS IN TRYPILLIAN CULTURE

Abstract

This article explores the religious cult of the aurochs in Trypillian culture, tracing the evolution of sacred beliefs from early totemism to a developed cosmological system with anthropomorphic manifestations. Based on archaeological evidence – animal remains in ritual contexts, ceramic vessels featuring bucrania, and temple artifacts – the study demonstrates the integration of the aurochs image into the religious and ritual practices of the Trypillians. Significant attention is given to the correlation between the cult and the astronomical Age of Taurus, during which this constellation occupied the position of the vernal equinox, endowing the image of the aurochs with special sacred significance as a symbol of fertility and cosmic order. The temple aspect of the cult is examined through the example of the Nebelivka temple complex. The study also traces the later phase of the cult’s transformation, marked by the emergence of syncretic anthropo-zoomorphic figures during the Late Trypillian period. The research analyzes the cultural continuity of cult elements in traditional Ukrainian and European culture, reflected in toponymy, architecture, and ritual practices. The article proposes viewing the evolution of the aurochs cult as a model for understanding broader processes of religious consciousness transformation during the transition from early agrarian beliefs to historical religious systems, using the Trypillian culture as a case study.