The Typology of Pins of Sapalli Culture

Abstract

In the 70s of the twentieth century, the Sapalli culture of the Bronze Age (2200–1300 BC) that was formed on the territory of Northern Bactria was introduced into scientific discourse, based on studied sources in the direction of historical and archaeological research. The inhabitants of the Sapalli culture were considered extremely skilled in handicrafts in addition to farming and animal husbandry. Among the types of crafts (ceramics, construction, blacksmithing, etc.), jewelry making is especially distinguished by its unique types and forms. The pins that form the basis of jewelry found in the monuments of the Sapalli culture are an important material source for illuminating the culture of the Bronze Age of the people of Central Asia, and, they embody the lifestyle, culture, art, and traditions of the people of the Bronze Age. In addition to other types of jewelry (earrings, diadems, beads, necklaces, bracelets, amulets, rings, and bracelets), many examples of beads have been found in the monuments of Sapallitepe, Djarkutan, Mulalitepe, Bustan VI, VII, Tilla Bulak of Sapalli culture, their typological analysis helps to study their essence in-depth and, the development of their analogues. In this article, more than 140 pins that belong to the class of jewelry for a head identified from the monuments of the Sapalli culture are divided into types, groups, and classes according to the shape of the head part of the pins. Among the types of pins by the shape and purpose, pins with zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures in the head part, rosette-shaped pins and pins with a star-shaped head part, which are rare artifacts, widespread among the cultures of the Oxus civilization, stand out.