Yepimakhov A.V., Molchanov I.V.

Evidences of metal production in Bronze Age regarding a fortified settlement of Kamenny Ambar: stone melting pots

The article is devoted to analysis of a rare category of Bronze Age findings — stone melting pots. Subject to presentation being preliminary results of a morphological and tracelogical investigation. Basing on a contextual analysis, the artefacts have been referred to the Sintashta period of existence of Kamenny Ambar settlement.

Bronze Age, metal production, Urals, the Sintashta type, melting pot.

Zakh V.A., Ryabogina N.Ye., Ilyushina V.V., Ivanov S.N., Murzina Ye.I.

The Fyodorovo Kurja 1 settlement in a system of the Andreyevo lakes

Subject to consideration being materials of the Fyodorovo complex of a multi-layered Kurja 1 settlement located by an old oxbow lake of the same name in the north of the Andreyevo lake system. Findings of the Fyodorovo culture were obtained in the layer of dark brown loam and in well pits penetrating into early layers and the mainland sand. Subject to investigation being remnants of probably three slightly in-depth dwellings with wells containing pottery, scarce inventory and animal bones. Spore-and-pollen and helminthological analyses of the samples taken from filling of the wells showed that the Fyodorovo settlement had existed under arid conditions with steppe-like landscapes. Of interest being pollen of grain grasses which could be divided into two size groups: fine pollen of wild-growing grain grasses, and large pollen diagnosed as pollen of cultural grain grasses. Following morphological signs, it is closer to wheat pollen (Triticum sp.) met in clusters, to be one of the main diagnostic signs of a closely located sown field. In the samples from filling of the wells, which after their sagging were most probably used for disposal of food wastes, eggs of Fasciola were detected.

 The Andreyevo lake system, the Fyodorovo culture, pottery, spore-and-pollen analysis, wild-growing and cultural grain grasses, eggs of helminthes.

Pankratova L.V.

«Protecting from troubles and bringing wealth…»

The author attempts to reconstruct semantics and to express a hypothesis on origin of West Siberian ornamental edgings with a bordering, organized following strict formal rules used in lingual texts on creating palindromes. It is suggested that in the perception of ancient West Siberian aborigines the edgings-palindromes symbolized space, possessing an ability to keep living entities. The ornaments were used as amulets. It is suggested that evolution of ornamental pattern being closely connected with weaving processing methods.

 Ornamentation, palindrome, vital energy, weaving, sacredness.

Borzunov V.A., Chemyakin Yu.P.

Karym sites of the taiga Low Ob basin: history of study, chronology and territory of coverage

The article describes a brief history of identification and revision of the contents regarding the Karym stage in development of taiga communities in West Siberia. A chronology of the Karym stage being early Middle Ages (IV — early VI cc. A.D., or the border of III–IV — early VI cc. A.D.) The territory of coverage by the Karym sites being western and central parts of the taiga Low Ob basin.

 West Siberia, taiga, early Middle Ages, Karym sites, history of study, chronology, territory of cove-rage.

Gordienko A.V.

The Low Tobol basin in the first half of I millennium A.D. (after excavation materials of the Ajga VIII settlement)

The article cites a complete publication of materials regarding excavations of the Ajga VIII settlement. The materials refer to III c. A.D., describing a cultural and historical situation in the Low Tobol basin during the Great migration. As a result, it was established that the basis of the population in the Aiga VIII was constituted by descendants of bearers of Sarov type pottery, named as Yar-sale type in the Low Tobol basin. The excavation materials confirm penetration of population from the north of West Siberia into a forest steppe stripe in early I millennium A.D.

Low Tobol basin, the Ajga VIII settlement, first half of I millennium A.D., pottery of Sarov type, pottery of Yar-sale type.