VESTNIK ARHEOLOGII ANTROPOLOGII I ETNOGRAFII   ¹ 3 (70)  (2025)

Àrchaeology

 

Enshin D.N.

Lower Ishim River Bazin in the 5th — early 4th millennium BC (current state of research)

Presented are the results of the study of new Late Neolithic pottery complexes from the settlements of the north-eastern shore of Lake Mergen (Mergen 3, 7, 8) in the Lower Ishim River region (forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia), which allow adjusting the existing cultural-chronological scheme. The analysis of the possibility of their correlation with the late Kozlov, Makhanjar, Belkaragay, Artyn and pit-comb complexes of adjacent territories (forest-steppe Trans-Urals, Northern Kazakhstan, Middle Irtysh, and Baraba regions) has been carried out. Based on the analysis of morphological and ornamental features of ceramic assemblages, their stratigraphic and planigraphic location in settlement layers, as well as dating (including AMS), a number of suggestions regarding their genesis and the sequence of their existence in the territory of the Lower Ishim River have been proposed. The conclusion has been made about the increase of the degree of patchiness in the cultural appearance of the population of the Ishim River valley from the second half of the 5th millennium BC, reflecting the processes of epo-chal changes at the turn of the Neolithic and Eneolithic.

Keywords: late Neolithic, Western Siberia, Lower Ishim River basin, ceramic complexes.

 

Dubovtseva E.N., Klementyeva T.Yu.

Early Neolithic flat-bottom pottery of Western Siberia: an effort of experimental modelling study

The study is focused on the manufacturing technologies of Neolithic flat-bottom pottery of the taiga zone of Western Siberia (Mulymyinsky and Kayukovsky types). Archaeological data on the extent of construction skills are incomplete and contradictory, while ethnographic data indicate the possibility of using various methods. We have tested experimentally the hypotheses about the composition of the skills related to construction of vessels of the Kayukovo and Mulyminsky types by making models with patch on a plane from the walls to the bottom and those with patch on the basis of a template from the bottom to the mouth; the characteristic features of these methods have been recorded. The comparison of experimental and archaeological specimens has shown that at the Early Neolithic settlement of Mulymya 3, vessels made by different methods were found in structures No 25 and No 22. To explain this, it is necessary to correlate the moulding method with the moulding compound formulation, morphology, and ornamentation features. Within the framework of the historical-cultural approach, the use of several substrate skills by a single community can be interpreted as the result of population being mixed. We believe that this phenomenon, recorded in Early Neolithic, could also be the consequence of the improvement of pottery manufacture technology. The question of the construction of early flat-bottom pottery requires further analysis of archaeological collections, as well as new experimental evidence.

Keywords: Western Siberia, Early Neolithic, experiment, construction, patch-based molding.

 

Mazurkevich A.N., Dolbunova E.V. 

Pile dwellings on lacustrine sites of the 4th–3rd millennium BC in the Dnieper-Dvina interfluve: a new form of architecture and a part of a pan-European phenomenon

The tradition of lacustrine pile dwellings, which appeared in the second half of the 4th millennium BC and existed throughout the 3rd millennium BC in the Dnieper-Dvina basin, represents a unique cultural phenomenon for the territory of Eastern Europe. In the Dnieper-Dvina interfluve, the most fully investigated sites are Usvyaty IV and Serteya II, which allow reconstruction of the structure and features of pile buildings. In this paper, we attempt to give an overview of the gathered data and to determine the characteristics of the construction solutions for those buildings and the reasoning behind the choice of this new form of architecture at the Neolithic sites of the Dnieper-Dvina basin. Various reasons for the emergence of tradition of building pile settlements in the lake landscapes of the Dnieper-Dvina could involve protective function, the ease of building a house on piles in a soft shore layer, proximity to various natural resources, release of fertile soils, and, first and foremost, the cultural phenomenon which reflected human adaptation to changed climatic and ecological conditions of the Subboreal period. Surveys of the adjacent territories and the analysis of geological cores indicate a small area of pile settlements that existed here. The described scheme suggests the existence of a peculiar farmstead settlement system for the builders of pile settlements with two synchronous and/or sequentially erected buildings, rectangular in plan, with a set of specific architectural elements.

Keywords: pile settlements, Neolithic, architecture, ecology, peat bog sites, underwater archaeology.

 

Shi Handa

Andronovites in the Eastern Pamirs: on the Issue of Dating and Origins of the Xiabandi AII Cemetery in Xinjiang (China)

This study examines the Bronze Age period in the Eastern Pamirs using materials from the cemetery of Xiabandi AII, through the analysis of its burial practices and grave goods, and planigraphy of the site. We argue that the site represents a local variant of the Andronovo Cultural-Historical Community within the Eastern Pamir region. By integrating new radiocarbon data from the Eurasian steppe contexts with traditional typological analysis, we propose a chronological framework for Xiabandi AII within the 17th–16th/15th centuries BC. Genetic, genealogical and anthropological evidence reveals the western Eurasian steppe origin of the population, potentially linked to Indo-Iranian (Aryan) migrations. The burial rite and the composition of the material goods demonstrate close affinities with southern Kazakhstan, particularly the Kulsai cultural type, while also suggesting possible interactions with the Bronze Age groups of northern China.

Keywords: Xiabandi cemetery AII, Andronovo cultural community, Pamir Plateau, Bronze Age, Kulsai culture, Eurasian archaeology, Indo-Iranian (Aryan) Migrations.

 

Gorashchuk I.V., Skochina S.N., Semin D.V., Erzhanova A.E.

Experience of identifying copper pressure flaking tools on stone bifacial arrowhead surfaces (experimental use-wear analysis)

Trace studies of stone bifacial arrowheads of the Bronze Age from the steppe areas of the Volga region, Southern Urals and Central Kazakhstan revealed the presence of micro-residues left on them by metal tools. The aim of the study is to identify experimentally the signs of using metal flaking tools in the process of manufacturing of stone arrowheads. For the experimental work, copper pressing tools and a control series of double-sided arrowheads made of flint, quartzite, jasper and chalcedony, were prepared. As a result, it has been found that copper micro-residue is not present on all samples, so linear traces formed by a chip of the copper pressing tool on the edge of the product become particularly important. At the point of contact of pressure flaking tool with the surface of the stone, scratches of various localizations with a characteristic metallic luster can be seen. Noteworthy, in most cases the linear traces are rare. Based on the location of wear traces on experimental arrowheads, a schematic pattern of the probable location of copper residue and scratches has been developed, that will allow easier determination of traces of the use of metal tools on the surface of double-sided arrowheads dated to the Bronze Age.

Keywords: Bronze Age, stone bifacial arrowheads, copper pressure flaking tool, residue analysis for metals, linear traces, use wear analysis.

 

Ilyushina V.V., Zimina O.Yu.

Pottery-making technology in the population of the transitional period between the Bronze and Iron Ages in the settlement of Mergen 6 of the Lower Ishim River basin

Here, we present the results of study of pottery skills in communities of the transitional period from the Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age, who lived on the territory of the settlement of Mergen 6 in the Lower Ishim River region (Western Siberia). Earlier, according to the shape and ornamentation features of the vessels that constitute the pottery collection of the transitional period, obtained in 1990 and 2002–2011 during the research at the site, three main groups were identified, related to the traditions of the Krasnoozerka, Gamayun, and Itkul Cultures, a “syncretic” group of pottery was identified. In order to identify the traditional methods of ceramics production that existed among the groups of the transitional period from Mergen 6, a study of 190 vessels belonging to each of the selected groups was carried out within the framework of the historical and cultural approach and methodology developed by A.A. Bobrinsky. Based on the results of the technical and technological analysis and information obtained about the potters' ideas on the initial plastic raw materials, skills of composing moulding masses, mechanical treatment of surfaces, and firing vessels, traditional pottery making methods of the analysed populations have been revealed. According to the data obtained on the composition of moulding masses, as well as the composition of fireclay used in the preparation of recipes, it was established that the communities of the Gamayun and Itkul Cultures were newcomers. From the presence of fireclay containing talc in the moulding masses of the Krasnoozerka vessels, an assumption has been made about familial-marital contacts between the local population and the newcomers.

Keywords: Western Siberia, Ishim River region, Mergen 6 settlement, Transitional Period from the Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age, Krasnoozerka Culture, Gamayun Culture, Itkul Culture, “synchretic” ceramics, historical-and-cultural approach, technical and technological analysis.

 

Davydov R.V., Suprunova L.E., Chistyakov P.V.

Serial casting of medieval small forms bronze toreutics from Central Asia: results of experimental studies

The article presents the results of experimental serial casting of medieval non-ferrous metal small forms toreutics from the Central Asian region. The aim of the study was to identify changes in the ornament when copying small forms toreutics and casting series of different items. As examples, the authors used bronze plaques from the end of the 1st millennium AD with the “fig flower” composition from the Tyukhtyat hoard (Minusinsk Basin). A total of 24 samples were made, which were divided into six series. Three first-order series were made using smelted or imprinted wax models. Two second-order series were cast using imprints of items from the first-order series. One third-order series was obtained using the imprint from the second-order items. The standards were digitized using 3D-scanning. The study of the 3D-models included the comparison of the items from the series with original samples and the assessment of the differences in the relief of the ornament. The authors revealed degradation of the ornament on the standards when copying castings. This degradation manifested in the levelling of the relief. The obtained data can be used for detailing the manufacturing technology, organization of production and distribution of medieval belt and horse harness fittings in the Southern Siberian region.

Keywords: Central Asia, Middle Ages, small-forms toreutics, non-ferrous metal, experimental archeology, serial casting.

 

Zelenkov A.S., Sleptsova A.V., Konikov B.A., Grachev M.A.

Early Medieval complexes from the northern forest-steppe of the Irtysh River region — Irchinsky burial ground (based on materials of V.A. Mogilnikov, 1969)

In this paper, artefacts from the Irchinsky burial ground are published. The site was excavated in 1969 by V.A. Mogilnikov in the northern forest-steppe of the Omsk region of the Irtysh River (Bolsherechensky district, vicinity of the Bolshemurly village). A total of seven burials from four barrows were examined. The artefacts are represented by pieces of horse harness (bit, stirrup, plaques, buckles, clamps, overlays), individual household items (adze, pottery of the Bakal and Potchevash types), weapons (arrowheads), and jewellery (beads, pendants, parts of a belt set). The burial rite is characterized by inhumations performed in oval and subrectangular pits oriented along the west-east line, accompanied by traces of ritual activities on a platform of the barrow (cremations, remains of animals). Based on the specifics of the artifact sets, the burial ground reflects a lengthy period of development, from at least the 7th/8th to 13th centuries. The Irchinsky necropolis demonstrates the integration of steppe traditions into the local historical and cultural context.

Keywords: Western Siberia, Omsk region, northern forest-steppe zone, Potchevash Culture, Ancient Turkic time.

 

Tkachev A.A., Tkachev Al.Al.

Kipchak “long” mound from the Menovnoe VII burial ground (Eastern Kazakhstan)

This article aims at cultural, chronological, and social interpretation of the “long” burial mound 3, containing Kipchak graves, studied in the Menovnoye VII necropolis of different periods in the Upper Irtysh River region. The “long” mound, built in with its structures among the largest kurgans, suggests joining of three burial structures into a single memorial ensemble, reflecting the posthumous union of representatives of the ruling family group of the Kipchak tribal association. The analysis of the inventory from burials of individuals of different age groups and a horse bridle, located in the same burial space, allows dating the mound to the end of the 11th — beginning of the 12th c. AD. The composition of the material assemblage reflects the high social status of the buried within the framework of the Kipchak cultural tradition.

Keywords: Upper Irtysh region, Middle Ages, Kipchaks, burial mound, burial rite, burials, inventory.

 

Bravina R.I., Prokopeva A.N., Petrov D.M.

Yakut elite of the 17th century: the grave of toyon Mazary Bozekov

The article is dedicated to the study of the burial complex of the Khangalassky ancestor (toyon) Mazary Bozekov, who was one of the most prominent leaders of the Yakut people in the 17th century, and who had an audience with Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich in Moscow. The grave of Mazary was excavated in the Isteekh Byraan locality of the Khangalassky District of Yakutia in 1933 by the expedition of G.V. Ksenofontov and M.N. Kovinin, however, its exact location remained unknown. In 2023, a previously opened grave was rediscovered in the same area during the archaeological work of the IHRNIPP SB RAS. By comparing the obtained materials with the protocols and findings of the 1933 expedition, it was confirmed, that the burial complex was the grave of Mazary Bozekov. Excavations of 2023 significantly complemented the knowledge about the complex. The study of structures and sizes of the above-ground constructions, and internal grave chambers, as well as the analysis of the qualitative and quantitative composition for the accompanying equipment have been undertaken. The material complex of the grave combines both traditional elements of the Yakut male burials and rare local and imported items. By the means of generalisation and systematisation of the data, it has been established that the grave complex represents a vivid example of a burial monument for a representative of the Yakut elite of 17th century — a historical period, when the local nobility began active interaction with the Russian Empire, which influenced the transformation of the cultural image of the Yakut people as a whole.

Keywords: Khangalassky district, the Late Middle Ages, Modern Times, family burial ground, Yakut society, Mazary Bozekov, yasak, toyonat, social status, objectification of status, objects of prestige.