page 65–76 RUS
ÓÄÊ 903.05(571.150) EDN: https://elibrary.ru/IGWFUK
A set of metal artifacts for horse tack from the Early Scythian Period found near the village of Shtabka in the Altai Krai: X-ray fluorescence analysis and cultural-chronological interpretation
Tishkin, Alexey A., Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Archaeology, Ethnography and Museology, Chief Researcher, Altai State University, Barnaul, Russia, tishkin210@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7769-136X
Frolov, Yaroslav V., Candidate of Historical Sciences, Director of the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of Altai, Altai State University, Barnaul, Russia, frolov_jar@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7259-2840
Summary
The article provides a detailed re-examination of previously recorded finds of ancient metal objects belonging to horse harnesses, which were accidentally discovered in the territory of the village of Shtabka, located on the left bank of the Barnaulka River (Pavlovsky district of Altai Krai, Russia). The opportunity to reassess these materials at an enhanced analytical level arose due to the improved accessibility of the artifacts during the planned modernization of the exhibition at the Altai State Regional Museum (Barnaul). For the first time, the publication includes detailed illustrations of important finds from the Early Saka period, alongside a set of X-ray fluorescence analysis results. These data expand the informational and analytical framework, enabling further comparative studies of the obtained results with those derived from similar items recovered at other sites. The modern cultural and chronological attribution of the studied object complex is grounded in archaeological evidence accumulated over recent decades in the southern part of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve, as well as in adjacent and more distant regions. These data support the hypothesis of migration of individual groups of early nomads from Inner Asia in various directions, including into the territory of Western Siberia.
Keywords: Forest-Steppe Altai, Shtabka, Early Saka period, horse harness, non-ferrous metal objects, X-ray fluorescence analysis, migration.
© Tishkin A.A., Frolov Ya.V., 2026
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Received 16.03.2026
Accepted 04.06.2026
Article is published: 15.09.2026
Funding. The research was partially supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation “World of Ancient Nomads of Inner Asia: Interdisciplinary Research of Material Culture, Sculptures, and Economy” (project No. 22-18-00470-P, https://rscf.ru/project/22-18-00470/, A.A. Tishkin).
Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful to N.V. Vakalova, Director of the Altai State Museum of Local Lore, for the opportunity to study the finds in detail, to A.L. Kungurov for preparing the graphic illustrations of the artifact complex, and to S.V. Semenov for the detailed photographic documentation.
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