Medieval Chinese Painting «Nomads», Boqtag and Rock Carvings of Human Figures in Long Robes from Khakasia in South Siberia

Abstract

The author recollects his first ‘in-person’ acquaintance with petroglyphs of South Siberia under the tutorship of his teacher V. E. Larichev. The main interpretations of figures in long robes (so-called «boots») engraved on planes of Oshkol pisanitsa and other adjacent rock art sites of Northern Khakassia are enumerated. Arguments by S. V. Pankova in favour of their interpretation as Manichean or Buddhist priests and their attribution to Tashtyk culture time are considered. The author tries to present alternative interpretation and dating of figures in long robes. He proposed the 13th century Chinese painting «Nomads» depicting two women in boqtag – traditional headdress of Mongolian nobles – as the ichnographically closest analogy to Khakas rock art «boots». A brief overview of Russian boqtag studies is given. The author mentions articles by M. V. Gorelik, N. V. Khripunov, E. P. Myskov, Z. V. Dode, A. A. Tishkin, S. A. Pilipenko, L. E. Maklasova and others. He presumes that Chinese Medieval scroll «Nomads» depicted a Mongolian wedding train and rock engravings of figures in long robes in Khakassia reflected matrimonial contacts of Yenisei Kyrgyz leadership with Mongolian nobles.