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On the types of economic and household complexes in the structure of Late Bronze Age sites in Western Siberia
Viktor A., Zakh, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Chief Researcher, Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS, Russia, viczakh@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3635-5933
Sergey N., Ivanov, researcher, Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS, Tyumen, Russia, ivasenik@rambler.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8566-0080
Summary
Late Bronze Age sites in the forest-steppe region of Western Siberia are characterized by the pre-sence of so-called ash pits typically elevated surface structures containing layers of ash and debris (pottery, animal bones, etc.). While some researchers have associated these features with Bronze Age complexes in the Trans-Ural steppe region due to the presence of ash-colored layers and comparable findings key differences exist between sites in the South Ural region and in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia. We have conducted the first naturalistic analysis of ash pit layers associated with the Fedorovo culture (Cheryomukhovy Kust site) and the Irmen culture (Izyly 1 site). The primary aim of this research was to obtain new data for a discussion regarding the characteristics of Western Siberian sites. Previous studies by E.A. Sidorov and A.V. Matveev have documented several features of ash pits, including the presence of small cattle feces and elevated humus content within the layers of these objects. Our research adds further evidence to this body of knowledge: analysis of an ash sample from the Izyly 1 ash pit revealed the presence of fecal spherulites calcite formations originating in the gastrointestinal tracts of ruminants. This finding supports the previously proposed hypothesis that Western Siberian ash pits formed as a result of clearing of domestic spaces, including the removal of winter manure accumulations. To avoid conceptual ambiguity, we propose restricting the term ash pit to Late Bronze Age features associated with the Fedorovo and Irmen complexes. These features are typically represented in the topography as elevated structures composed of layers containing ruminant manure, ash, and charcoal from hearths. These complexes are linked to settlements where cleared floor areas are identified interpreted as stalls used for housing livestock during the winter months. Thus, we define ash pits as a specific type of economic and domestic complex, directly integrated into the settlement structure of the Fedorovo and Irmen communities, who practiced pastoral livestock breeding.
Keywords: Western Siberia, Bronze Age, Alakul Culture, Fedorovo Culture, Pakhomovo Culture, Irmen Culture, cattle breeding, ash pits, ash-colored layers.
© Zakh V.A., Ivanov S.N., 2026
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Received 17.12.2025
Accepted 02.03.2026
Article is published: 15.06.2026
Funding. This work was supported by the State Assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, No. 126022618029-1 (V.A. Zakh; interpretation of the obtained data) and No. 126022618022-2 (S.N. Ivanov; performance of analytical work).
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