Случайные находки эпохи ранних кочевников из Кунашакского и Красноармейского районов Челябинской области

Abstract

People of several aboriginal archaeological cultures populated the northern part of the foreststeppe zone of the Southern Trans-Urals in the Early Iron Age. Several accidental archaeological finds of bronze items come from this region. They are featured with the traditional animal style of the early nomads of Eurasia. A plaque depicts a predator crouching to the ground with the head of a ram in its mouth grabbing the muzzle. The plaque was found on a plowed field in the Karpino tract. It renders the scene of herbivore being tormented by a predator. This sort of image is popular in the Scytho-Siberian animal style. Another two bronze plaques were found on the top of the hill, Mount Sovinaya. The plaques refer to an elk’s head and face. Both plaques depict the head of a male elk with large antlers and protruding ears. It should be noted that the elk’s head on the plaques is not proportioned. It is shorter and wider unlike real animal and more reminiscent of the head of a bull or a cow. There are two longitudinal loops on the reverse side of the plaques. The plaques from Mount Sovinaya are completely original and have no equivalents among the monuments of the Scythian-Siberian animal style. It should be noted there is no image of an elk in the art of the nomads of the Lower Volga region and the Southern Urals. The presented plaques from accidental finds characterize the original art of the Trans-Ural forest-steppe tribes. According to the author, this art developed under the direct influence of the art of the nomads of the Eurasia steppe zone. On the contrary, a figurine of a stylized bird (“bird-shaped idol”) found near Lake Saygerly is one of the most striking categories of inventory of the Itkul archaeological culture.