Tamgas and Runic Inscription on Two Vessels from Muruisky Island on the Angara River

Abstract

The article deals with the attempt to comprehensively study of two metal vessels found in the treasure on Muruisky island on Angara river, which became known to the general public in 2008. Based on a comparative analysis of the findings of similar products torevtics in the memorial and funeral complexes of the Türkic period in Inner Asia, it is concluded that they belong to the category of prestigious objects as attributes of the nomadic social elite of the 8th – early 9th centuries A.D. Сomparing the signs of identity (tamga) applied to the vessels with the famous monuments of the region allows it is possible to identify two of them as belonging to the ruling clans of the Eastern Türks and Uyghurs (the Ashina and Yaγlaqar dynasties respectively), as well as to clans of other important nomadic unions of central areas of Mongolia of the same period. For tamga signs on the neck of vessel 2 it is possible to find analogies mainly among the monuments of Tuva and the Minusinsk depression. The fact of their relatively late application to the surface of the vessel refers to the time of the fall of the Uyghur Qaghanate and the expansion of the Qïrqïz in Inner Asia.A new reading of the runic inscription on vessel 2 is based on the personal direct acquaintance with the artifact at the State Historical Museum in Moscow and subsequent work with its photographs of high-quality. In general, the identification of runic characters does not cause difficulties, the fact of which caused to offer an accurate reading of the inscription without assumptions and grammatical stretches. At the same time, it is possible that part of the inscription, which placed on the damaged field of the surface of the vessel, was created earlier than the rest of the text. Since the inscription was not completely restored, it seems correct to consider any interpretations premature. An analysis of spelling of the inscription shows the possibility to compare it with the monuments of the period of the Uyghur Qaghanate (747–840/847). The fact is partially contradicted by some features of the graphics, which, however, may be explained by the presence here of some signs of the mentioned above the earlier inscription.