Bits and Cheek-Pieces from the Archaeological Sites of the Northern Altai of the Rouran Period (Based on the Materials of the Choburak-I Complex)

Abstract

Purpose. This article studies bits and cheek-pieces belong to the mass categories of riding horse equipment from the archaeological sites of Altai of 2nd century BC – 5th century AD. These finds, taking into account the rarity of such materials from synchronous sites in adjacent territories, are an important source for the reconstruction of horse equipment of the nomads of Central and North Asia. The article presents the analysis of a series of bits and cheek-pieces from objects of the Rouran period of the Choburak-I necropolis.Methods and Results. The analyzed collection includes nine bits and five cheek-pieces. The basis of the study was the morphological analysis and classification of items of horse equipment, as well as the comparison of these finds with materials from neighboring territories. Two types of bits and two types of cheek-pieces are distinguished, demonstrating common and special features of the manufacture of bridle sets by the population of Northern Altai in the Rouran period. A comparative study made it possible to determine their dating and genesis.Conclusion. It has been established that bits and cheek-pieces are an important chronological marker for further clarification of the periodization of the archaeological sites of Altai. It is concluded that the horse equipment of the Bulan-Koby archaeological culture had a significant impact on the appearance of this category of objects among the early Turks. The results obtained expand the existing ideas about the evolution of horse equipment among the nomads of Asia in the middle of the 1st millennium AD.