The site Tunnug 1 is located in the Republic of Tuva, in the area of the Uyuk Valley, the so-called “Valley of the Kings”. The burial mound is located not on a high river terrace but in the flood plain (fig. 1), which seems to have led to... more
The site Tunnug 1 is located in the Republic of Tuva, in the area of the Uyuk Valley, the so-called “Valley of the Kings”. The burial mound is located not on a high river terrace but in the flood plain (fig. 1), which seems to have led to permafrost conditions underneath the mound. These circumstances might have led to an excellent preservation of archaeological material. Preliminarily, the burial mound can be associated with the Arzhan horizon of the early Scythian material culture. Tunnug 1 slightly predates Arzhan 1. In the 2018 campaign, the early date of the mound was confirmed. The excavation on the southern periphery of the site revealed a dense cluster of structures postdating the construction of the main burial mound. This article presents the data gathered on several structures (fig. 2) of the first centuries AD (fig. 3, 4) and the Middle Ages (fig. 5, 6.-1). The location of the funeral and ritual stone structures in the low flood plain is uncharacteristic for all archaeological cultures presented in the recorded materials. Through reconstructing the paleolandscape and the paleoclimatic situation for all activity periods on the site we are further clarifying these circumstances. The excavation of the joint Russian-Swiss expedition will be continued in 2019.
Key words: Tuva, Tunnug, Arzhan, early Scythian time, burial types, Kokel, ritual objects, archaeology of the flood plain
Key words: Tuva, Tunnug, Arzhan, early Scythian time, burial types, Kokel, ritual objects, archaeology of the flood plain
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Nine burials were excavated on the territory of Katylyg 5 fortified settlement in Tuva (fig. 1). 6 of them are children's burials placed in ordinary household pits without any inventory (fig. 2). Burials 3 and 7 (fig. 3-5) are also... more
Nine burials were excavated on the territory of Katylyg 5 fortified settlement in Tuva (fig. 1). 6 of them are children's burials placed in ordinary household pits without any inventory (fig. 2). Burials 3 and 7 (fig. 3-5) are also synchronous to the settlement and also belongs to Kokel archaeological culture.
Burials on the territory of settlements are unusual for Kokel culture, as well as in general burials without burial mounds. Unusual direction (head to the south) and 7 (instead of 4 or 8) elements of the ornament on the accompanying vessel. Inside this vessel (according to the isotopic analysis) the fat meat broth was most likely.
People of Kokel archaeological culture did not bury children on common cemeteries in most cases. Specifics of ground burials are not clear yet.
Burials on the territory of settlements are unusual for Kokel culture, as well as in general burials without burial mounds. Unusual direction (head to the south) and 7 (instead of 4 or 8) elements of the ornament on the accompanying vessel. Inside this vessel (according to the isotopic analysis) the fat meat broth was most likely.
People of Kokel archaeological culture did not bury children on common cemeteries in most cases. Specifics of ground burials are not clear yet.
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Keywords: bone arrowheads, tanged bone arrowheads, Tuva, Katylyg 5 settlement, Kokel culture, Xiongnu, Xianbei. The paper is devoted to the arrowheads of the Kokel archaeological culture, which existed in the Xiongnu-Xianbei time on the... more
Keywords: bone arrowheads, tanged bone arrowheads, Tuva, Katylyg 5 settlement, Kokel culture, Xiongnu, Xianbei.
The paper is devoted to the arrowheads of the Kokel archaeological culture, which existed in the Xiongnu-Xianbei time on the territory of the present-day Tuva (Fig. 1). The author considers the history of the study of the Kokel culture sites and analyzes the attempts to distinguish their chronological horizons and territorial variants. The publication introduces new materials: arrowheads from the cultural layer of the Katylyg 5 settlement, radiocarbon-dated to the second half of the III — the first half of the IV c. AD. This site, situated on the right bank of the Ulug-Khem (Yenisei) in the upper reaches of the Eerbek river, is the first of the Kokel culture settlements that has become an object of archaeological excavations. Worthy of note is the fact that bone arrowheads numerically dominate over those made of iron (Fig. 2), and the latter are represented by a very rare type. Two of fourteen bone arrowheads show a form that has never been found in Tuva before (Fig. 2, 13, 14). The method of manufacture of bone arrowheads which was in use in Tuva during the first half of the I millennium AD (Fig. 3, 7–14) has links with neither the previous (Scythian or Xiongnu) nor subsequent (Turkiс) traditions. The bone arrowheads found in the Kokel burials are not burial goods. They came into the graves in the bodies of people who were probably killed by these arrows. It appears that in the period under discussion the territory of Tuva was inhabited by different groups of people, who occupied variable ecological niches. The tribes living in the steppe zone did not use bone arrowheads, differing in this respect from the inhabitants of taiga (Katylyg 5 and Ust-Khadynnykh 3 sites)
The paper is devoted to the arrowheads of the Kokel archaeological culture, which existed in the Xiongnu-Xianbei time on the territory of the present-day Tuva (Fig. 1). The author considers the history of the study of the Kokel culture sites and analyzes the attempts to distinguish their chronological horizons and territorial variants. The publication introduces new materials: arrowheads from the cultural layer of the Katylyg 5 settlement, radiocarbon-dated to the second half of the III — the first half of the IV c. AD. This site, situated on the right bank of the Ulug-Khem (Yenisei) in the upper reaches of the Eerbek river, is the first of the Kokel culture settlements that has become an object of archaeological excavations. Worthy of note is the fact that bone arrowheads numerically dominate over those made of iron (Fig. 2), and the latter are represented by a very rare type. Two of fourteen bone arrowheads show a form that has never been found in Tuva before (Fig. 2, 13, 14). The method of manufacture of bone arrowheads which was in use in Tuva during the first half of the I millennium AD (Fig. 3, 7–14) has links with neither the previous (Scythian or Xiongnu) nor subsequent (Turkiс) traditions. The bone arrowheads found in the Kokel burials are not burial goods. They came into the graves in the bodies of people who were probably killed by these arrows. It appears that in the period under discussion the territory of Tuva was inhabited by different groups of people, who occupied variable ecological niches. The tribes living in the steppe zone did not use bone arrowheads, differing in this respect from the inhabitants of taiga (Katylyg 5 and Ust-Khadynnykh 3 sites)
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For the first stage of the Xiongnu-Xianbei time in Tuva there are several burial traditions: 1. Collective burials in underground wooden log cabins (sometimes with dromos). This is a direct continuation of the Scythian tradition with some... more
For the first stage of the Xiongnu-Xianbei time in Tuva there are several burial traditions: 1. Collective burials in underground wooden log cabins (sometimes with dromos). This is a direct continuation of the Scythian tradition with some objects of material culture of the Xiongnu. 2. Stone boxes. Sometimes stone boxes are dug into earlier mounds. The inventory includes both Scythian and Xiongnu items. 3. Collective burials in underground stone vaults. Only several objects are excavated. Inventory in general is similar to burials in underground wooden log cabins. 4. Xiongnu terrace tombs. Only one burial field is known (Bai-Dag 2) where ordinary burials under round mounds and ground burials without any mounds are also found. Some other single ground burials of the Xiongnu time are known but they are still unclassified. 5. Ground burials in cemeteries with a regular structure. Now the Ala-Tei 1 burial field is being studied and after publication it should become to be the model of this type. No settlements have been identified yet. The idea that some rectangular fortified settlements date back to the Xiongnu Epoch is still controversial.
For the later time only sites of the Kokel archaeological culture are known. The transition from the previous tradition still not explained. Maybe it was Xianbei influenced. The Kokel archaeological culture is represented by burials, ritual sites and settlements. There are at the moment all the known sites on the map (fig. 1, 2). The funeral rites are not very stable. Burials in a wooden coffin under a mound (stones without a ground) are usually stretched on the back, head to the North-West. The inventory includes a vessel or two, iron knives and buckles, and some meat food. Sometimes there are arrowheads and less often other objects of everyday life and weapons: parts of the bows, bone tubes, iron awls etc. The most specific category is ceramics. Ritual objects are «over-vessel mounds» where the main and usually the only object is a ceramic vessel installed on the horizon or level of the horizon. They can be very small, less than three meters in diameter, or large and high, not less in size than burial mounds. Under one mound there are often separately installed vessels and burials, and in many cases a vessel has a central position. Only 2 settlements are known, both are fortified, and one of them (Katylyg 5) was studied
For the later time only sites of the Kokel archaeological culture are known. The transition from the previous tradition still not explained. Maybe it was Xianbei influenced. The Kokel archaeological culture is represented by burials, ritual sites and settlements. There are at the moment all the known sites on the map (fig. 1, 2). The funeral rites are not very stable. Burials in a wooden coffin under a mound (stones without a ground) are usually stretched on the back, head to the North-West. The inventory includes a vessel or two, iron knives and buckles, and some meat food. Sometimes there are arrowheads and less often other objects of everyday life and weapons: parts of the bows, bone tubes, iron awls etc. The most specific category is ceramics. Ritual objects are «over-vessel mounds» where the main and usually the only object is a ceramic vessel installed on the horizon or level of the horizon. They can be very small, less than three meters in diameter, or large and high, not less in size than burial mounds. Under one mound there are often separately installed vessels and burials, and in many cases a vessel has a central position. Only 2 settlements are known, both are fortified, and one of them (Katylyg 5) was studied
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Fortified settlement Katylyg 5 belongs to Kokel Archaeological culture. The site located in Central Asia, Republic of Tuva, on the right inflow of the Ulug-Khem (Yenisei) – Eerbek river, in the taiga zone at an altitude around a thousand... more
Fortified settlement Katylyg 5 belongs to Kokel Archaeological culture. The site located in Central Asia, Republic of Tuva, on the right inflow of the Ulug-Khem (Yenisei) – Eerbek river, in the taiga zone at an altitude around a thousand meters (fig. 1). Katylyg 5 is the first known settlement of this culture.
This paper focuses on pottery. Group 1 (67 %, fig 2: 1-4; fig 4, 5) is common for Kokel archaeological culture. Groups 2, 3 (5%, fig. 6; 5% fig. 7) have some differences but we don’t sure what it exactly means. Group 4 (18%, fig. 2: 5, 6; fig. 8) is the new type absolutely unusual for Central Asia. Some similar potteries are known in Far East region (Amur River basin, North-East China). It’s origin we still don’t know, it can be Xianbei influenced.
This type of ceramics was never found in burials. We propose that this vessels are mostly for iron-making process, fig. 9 – the plan with all sherds of group 4 and the zone with furnaces. Fig. 11 – not typical (less than 5%) ceramics from Katylyg 5 that can be earlier and accidental.
There are also the results of radiocarbon dating (8 samples from a various areas at the settlement). All of them seem to be correct. Katylyg 5 dates back to the second half of 3th – first half of 4th centuries CE.
Keywords: Xiongnu, Xianbei, Kokel, Tuva, Central Asia, fortified settlement, Katylyg 5, pottery, ceramics, cutout vessels, vessels with sloping neck
This paper focuses on pottery. Group 1 (67 %, fig 2: 1-4; fig 4, 5) is common for Kokel archaeological culture. Groups 2, 3 (5%, fig. 6; 5% fig. 7) have some differences but we don’t sure what it exactly means. Group 4 (18%, fig. 2: 5, 6; fig. 8) is the new type absolutely unusual for Central Asia. Some similar potteries are known in Far East region (Amur River basin, North-East China). It’s origin we still don’t know, it can be Xianbei influenced.
This type of ceramics was never found in burials. We propose that this vessels are mostly for iron-making process, fig. 9 – the plan with all sherds of group 4 and the zone with furnaces. Fig. 11 – not typical (less than 5%) ceramics from Katylyg 5 that can be earlier and accidental.
There are also the results of radiocarbon dating (8 samples from a various areas at the settlement). All of them seem to be correct. Katylyg 5 dates back to the second half of 3th – first half of 4th centuries CE.
Keywords: Xiongnu, Xianbei, Kokel, Tuva, Central Asia, fortified settlement, Katylyg 5, pottery, ceramics, cutout vessels, vessels with sloping neck
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Keywords: Tuva, kurgan, memorial complex, wooden pile structure, cremation, circular stone kerb, Kyrgyzes. This paper is a publication of two objects archaeologically investigated in 2015 in Tuva. These are sites dated to the 9th–12th... more
Keywords: Tuva, kurgan, memorial complex, wooden pile structure, cremation, circular stone kerb, Kyrgyzes.
This paper is a publication of two objects archaeologically investigated in 2015 in Tuva. These are sites dated to the 9th–12th century AD and containing remains of wooden pile structures.
On the basis of these sites (as also information from precedent studies) a group of archaeological objects possessing a number of common features can be identiied:
– the base of the object is represented by a large circular stone kerb constructed in several rows;
– the wooden piles are arranged in a circle over a rather shallow pit;
– the structure of the stone mound (as well as its present view after excavations) is identical to that of the kurgans with cremation on the surface;
– there are calcined skeletal remains in the pit but they are very few;
– in the mound and/or in the pit, bones of sheep and goats are encountered;
– finds are rare in the pits and constitute no standard ‘set’.
So far this group is not identiied in terms of its chronology, culture or functionally (possibly we are dealing here with ‘memorial complexes’) although they are quite distinctly marked by their construction.
This paper is a publication of two objects archaeologically investigated in 2015 in Tuva. These are sites dated to the 9th–12th century AD and containing remains of wooden pile structures.
On the basis of these sites (as also information from precedent studies) a group of archaeological objects possessing a number of common features can be identiied:
– the base of the object is represented by a large circular stone kerb constructed in several rows;
– the wooden piles are arranged in a circle over a rather shallow pit;
– the structure of the stone mound (as well as its present view after excavations) is identical to that of the kurgans with cremation on the surface;
– there are calcined skeletal remains in the pit but they are very few;
– in the mound and/or in the pit, bones of sheep and goats are encountered;
– finds are rare in the pits and constitute no standard ‘set’.
So far this group is not identiied in terms of its chronology, culture or functionally (possibly we are dealing here with ‘memorial complexes’) although they are quite distinctly marked by their construction.
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The burial mound Tunnug 1 (Arzhan 0) lies in a swamp of the Uyuk River Valley, Tuva Republic, Russia. The construction of this princely Scythian tomb is similar to the earliest identified Scythian kurgan Arzhan 1. Preserved wood from the... more
The burial mound Tunnug 1 (Arzhan 0) lies in a swamp of the Uyuk River Valley, Tuva Republic, Russia. The construction of this princely Scythian tomb is similar to the earliest identified Scythian kurgan Arzhan 1.
Preserved wood from the burial mound was dated through AMS to the 9th century BCE. This confirms that Tunnug 1 (Arzhan 0) belongs to the oldest Scythian cultural horizon and potentially predates Arzhan 1. Due to its peculiar topographic location Tunnug 1 (Arzhan 0) appears to be a frozen tomb.
Preserved wood from the burial mound was dated through AMS to the 9th century BCE. This confirms that Tunnug 1 (Arzhan 0) belongs to the oldest Scythian cultural horizon and potentially predates Arzhan 1. Due to its peculiar topographic location Tunnug 1 (Arzhan 0) appears to be a frozen tomb.
Research Interests: Landscape Archaeology, Eurasian Nomads, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Scythian archaeology, Iron Age, and 9 moreCentral Asian Steppe, Archaeology of the Eurasian steppe belt, Tuva Central Asia, Early Steppe Nomadic peoples migrations and social life, Cimmerians, Herodotus, Scythians, Pontic area, Black Sea area, Caucaaus, Near East, Anatolia, nomads, steppe peoples, History of Eurasian Steppe, Archaeology of Siberia, Eurasian Steppe In the Bronze and Iron Ages и South Russian Steppes
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Формирование кокэльской археологической культуры в Туве может быть связано с миграцией в I–III вв. н.э. с востока в процессе сяньбийской экспансии. При этом мигранты могли принести с собой не только элементы материальной культуры,... more
Формирование кокэльской археологической культуры в Туве может быть связано с миграцией в I–III вв. н.э. с востока в процессе сяньбийской экспансии. При этом мигранты могли принести с собой не только элементы материальной культуры, неизвестные прожи- вающим здесь носителям сюннуской традиции, но и элементы, общие для сюнну и сяньби. Иными словами, «хуннские традиции» могут и не означать участия местного населения в формировании новой культуры.
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Fortified settlement Katylyg 5 dates back to 3–4 centuries CE and belongs to Kokel archaeological culture. The site located in Central Asia, Republic of Tuva, on the right inflow of the Ulug- Khem (Yenisei) – Eerbek river, in the taiga... more
Fortified settlement Katylyg 5 dates back to 3–4 centuries CE and belongs to Kokel archaeological culture. The site located in Central Asia, Republic of Tuva, on the right inflow of the Ulug- Khem (Yenisei) – Eerbek river, in the taiga zone at an altitude of about a thousand meters (fig. 1). Katylyg 5 is the first investigating settlement of this culture, previously only materials of funerary and ritual sites were published. For now more than two thirds of territory inside the ditches (more than 1500 sq.m.) excavated. Metallurgical furnaces, burials, more than seven hundred pits discovered. General information about the site was published (Sadykov, 2015).
This paper focuses on common life of settlement’s residents. There are bones, hornes and iron tools, stone spindles and so on (fig. 2.4). The whole complex of finds of 2014–2015 is presented, with the exception of ceramics, arrowheads and metallurgical finds which will be published separately.
This paper focuses on common life of settlement’s residents. There are bones, hornes and iron tools, stone spindles and so on (fig. 2.4). The whole complex of finds of 2014–2015 is presented, with the exception of ceramics, arrowheads and metallurgical finds which will be published separately.
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It's about fortified settlements located in taiga zone in Tuva. These sites can be dated as Xiongnu-Xianbei time. Unlike steppe settlements they haven't rectangular shape and they probably were centers of production, but not... more
It's about fortified settlements located in taiga zone in Tuva. These sites can be dated as Xiongnu-Xianbei time. Unlike steppe settlements they haven't rectangular shape and they probably were centers of production, but not administrative or trading centers. We publish plans and some findings of fortified settlement Chyvarlyg 1, discovered in 2015. It is the second site of this new type of settlements.
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Field of burial mounds Krasnaya Gorka located in Central Tuva on the left bank of Ulug-Khem (Yenisei) in the Bai-Bulun plain (fig. 1). Some objects was excavated by Tuvinian archaeological expedition of IHMC RAS (St. Petersburg) in 2015.... more
Field of burial mounds Krasnaya Gorka located in Central Tuva on the left bank of Ulug-Khem (Yenisei) in the Bai-Bulun plain (fig. 1). Some objects was excavated by Tuvinian archaeological expedition of IHMC RAS (St. Petersburg) in 2015. It’s full publication for objects 3 and 5 of Krasnaya Gorka 19 site dated back to the Ancient Turk time.
Object 5 is the ritual site (fig. 2). Object 3 - burial mound with stone stele installed at 3m to the east-south-east (fig. 3). «Deer stone» that was dug upside down was used as a stele (fig. 5). The burial with two accompanying horses (fig. 4) was not robbed, all the equipment is in place (fig. 6-9). We provide anthropological and paleozoological data, a brief interpretation of the complex and its position among the synchronous sites of Tuva and, in general, Central Asia.
With special attention we presents the carved signs (possibly tamgas) on the central bone pads of the bow. There is a lack of exact analogies for these signs in Orkhon and Yenisei alphabets, also in the variety of the known tamgas and tamga-like signs in Tuva and, as far as we know, in the related territories.
Object 5 is the ritual site (fig. 2). Object 3 - burial mound with stone stele installed at 3m to the east-south-east (fig. 3). «Deer stone» that was dug upside down was used as a stele (fig. 5). The burial with two accompanying horses (fig. 4) was not robbed, all the equipment is in place (fig. 6-9). We provide anthropological and paleozoological data, a brief interpretation of the complex and its position among the synchronous sites of Tuva and, in general, Central Asia.
With special attention we presents the carved signs (possibly tamgas) on the central bone pads of the bow. There is a lack of exact analogies for these signs in Orkhon and Yenisei alphabets, also in the variety of the known tamgas and tamga-like signs in Tuva and, as far as we know, in the related territories.
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The article is devoted to the excavations on Katylyg 5 fortified settlement in 2014. Katylyg 5 is the first excavated settlement of Kokel archaeological culture (Xiongnu time period in Tuva). This archaeological culture was known before... more
The article is devoted to the excavations on Katylyg 5 fortified settlement in 2014. Katylyg 5 is the first excavated settlement of Kokel archaeological culture (Xiongnu time period in Tuva). This archaeological culture was known before only by the grave finds. First results in this article is a preliminary description of pottery, paleozoological finds and metallurgical furnaces.
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The article describes new objects оf Kokel culture, which are complementing the well-known type of sites —the over-vessel mounds without burials, and suggests a reconstruction of ritual actions, the traces of which can be represented by... more
The article describes new objects оf Kokel culture, which are complementing the well-known type of sites —the over-vessel mounds without burials, and suggests a reconstruction of ritual actions, the traces of which can be represented by the described artifacts. Those ritualistic actions are, successively, building of a stone semicircle, making fires, placing vessels with a milk drink covered with a stone lid, breaking of the ceramic vessels inside the ritual site because of the ritual actions, and, possibly, destruc- tion of the stone structure. It is noted that the object possibly loses its significance after the ritual, and con- sequently, the solidity of the stone structure was not important to the people who left the site. There is a question about possible existence of burials without mounds (as a result of research at Katylyg 5). Other- wise, about possible absence of any relation between the over-vessel mounds and the burial practice.
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The article is devoted to the excavations on Katylyg 5 fortified settlement in 2014. Katylyg 5 is the first excavated settlement of Kokel archaeological culture (Xiongnu time period in Tuva). This archaeological culture was known before... more
The article is devoted to the excavations on Katylyg 5 fortified settlement in 2014. Katylyg 5 is the first excavated settlement of Kokel archaeological culture (Xiongnu time period in Tuva). This archaeological culture was known before only by the grave finds. There’s many new questions about this new type of site.
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Excavations of TAE IIMC RAS in 2015
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The paper is devoted to two underground burial vaults of the Harbas 1 site in the Elbrus region, which show a number of differences from the well-known synchronous sites of the 7 c. AD. While there are no signs of plundering, it is quite... more
The paper is devoted to two underground burial vaults of the Harbas 1 site in the Elbrus region, which show a number of differences from the well-known synchronous sites of the 7 c. AD. While there are no signs of plundering, it is quite obvious that the burials were disturbed. The authors discuss a possible heterogeneity of the burial vault tradition. One of the archaeological finds from Harbas 1 (a brooch with eight glass inserts in the form of male faces) suggests the existence of active contacts between the North Caucasus and Europe in the period under consideration.