К изучению элементов культуры пазырыкцев Казахского Алтая по данным междисциплинарных исследований

Abstract

The article presents the outcomes of the multidisciplinary research on the Berel kurgan no. 11 (4th—3rd centuries BC). Thanks to the permafrost lens, horse remains and organic objects were kept in the mound in perfect condition, which enabled the researchers to carry out a number of specific studies, including the palynological study of the contents of digestive tracts of 7 horses. General results of the implemented paleozoological studies of horse remains are described in the paper as well as decoration of the animals. The palynological analysis of the horse digestive tracts led to identification of 2 types of palynocomplexes: 1 — characterized by high pollen content of ligneous and early flowering herbaceous plants, sporadic fern and ground-pines; 2 — has a rich pollen composition made of herbaceous plants, common for steppe piedmonts of the Altay. These palynocomplex features might pertain to differences in the mountain pastures conditioned by the vertical zonality. Comparison of flowering dates of pollen-defined plants allowed suggesting the burial’s probable season. In the course of the burial, the horse bodies were covered with birch bark and branches of prairieweed, which could serve the purpose of sealing and embalming the objects and, hence, indicate the fact that ancient nomads were familiar with the aseptic and tanning properties of the plants. In general, horses were selected according to certain criteria for the accompanying burial, which is consistent with obtained results of the present palynological and palaeozoological studies.