Great Altai Research Articles

Principal Results of the Project Implemented by the Research and Educational Center for Altaic and Turkic Studies “Greater Altai”

We outline the result of collaboration by a team of more than sixty researchers from 22 Russian and 13 foreign institutions under the project implemented by the Research and Educational Center for Altaic and Turkic Studies “Greater Altai” in 2022–2023. Six archaeological and four ethnographic expeditions were carried out in the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic. Findings concern the origin of the Turkic ethno-cultural complex and its spread across Central Asia. Archaeological surveys revealed new sites, many of which were excavated, and some were included in the museum projects. Extensive photographic and volumetric documentation was conducted. In the course of ethnographic expeditions, Turkic epic texts were collected, many elements of traditional culture were revealed, showing parallels between Altaic and Kyrgyzian traditions. Also ethnographic parallels were documented between Slavic and Turkic cultures of the Greater Altai. These were used to elaborate the concept of Slavo-Turkic unity, which has both theoretical and practical implications.

Model of the Geodynamic Development of the Greater Altai

The geodynamic model reflects the staged development of the geological and metallogenic structures of the Greater Altai. Spatially, the Great Altai occupies the territory of Eastern Kazakhstan. The features of the geodynamic development of the geological structures of the Greater Altai are considered. The territory covers the southeastern flanks of the Rudny Altai and Kalba tectonic zones of the Greater Altai, which are part of the general system of the Central Asian mobile belt. The spatial conjugation of geological and ore-bearing structures of different age and composition, subject to intense metamorphic and hydrothermal-metasomatic transformations under the influence of the Dzhungar massif and the Siberian Plate and subsequent thrust-shear deformations, is emphasized.

Formation Model of the Gold-Sulfide Deposits of the Western Kalba and Its Main Forecast and Search Criteria

The West Kalba Gold ore Belt (WKB), located within the Greater Altai, is a unique gold ore province on a global scale. It contains about 500 known gold occurrences and deposits. The main industrial type for the WKGB are gold-bearing sulfide deposits. The article presents a model for the formation of gold sulfide deposits in West Kalba. The main predictive-search criteria are considered, which make it possible to assess the prospects of areas for the presence of potential gold-sulfide objects within the described territory. The aim of the work is to clarify the main predictive and prospecting criteria specific to the considered field model. The given data is highlighted using descriptive analytics methods.

АЛТАЙСКО-КЫРГЫЗСКИЕ ЭТНОКУЛЬТУРНЫЕ ПАРАЛЛЕЛИ ПО МАТЕРИАЛАМ МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫХ ЭТНОГРАФИЧЕСКИХ ЭКСПЕДИЦИЙ

This paper provides information about some of the results of the international ethnographic expeditions “Great Altai” in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation. This expedition project is designed to identify ethnic parallels in the culture of the Altai and Kyrgyz, associated with the general stages of their ethnic history and the similarity of the natural and climatic conditions of Altai and Tayn-Shan.During the expeditions, it was possible, in particular, to identify similar phenomena preserved in the culture of the Altai and Kyrgyz people, which have deep historical roots. For example, these similarities can be traced in the surviving folk game, the traditions of slaughtering a sheep and dividing parts of its carcass among the participants in the feast, as well as in hunting

Географическая идентичность понятия «Большой Алтай» и перспективные направления трансграничного сотрудничества в регионе

Introduction. The Altai Mountains are a mountain system that is part of the sub latitudinal Altai-Sayan mountainous country. The mountains are the watershed between the basins of the Arctic Ocean and the drainleess region of Central Asia. This is the territory where the sources of the Irtysh and the Ob are located. Materials and research мethods. The article uses a regional approach to the study of a mountainous region. From the standpoint of the historical-geographical approach, the historical aspects of the formation of the transboundary essence of the Great Altai concept are revealed. Research results. The analysis of the origin of the understanding of the transboundary essence of Altai as a territory of cooperation is carried out. Expeditionary groups have been identified that have made a significant contribution to the understanding of the Great Altai. This made it possible to present the modern features of the economic, geographical and geopolitical position of the region. Discussion. A concept for the development of the region within the framework of the main areas of cooperation is proposed. The interests of Russia are indicated to promote the uniqueness of the territory and use its opportunities for tourism. Conclusion. The geographical position and natural resources make the Altai Mountains an important object in the development of cross-border cooperation. Since the 18th century scientists are actively exploring the territory for its effective use. The Great Altai has the prospect of becoming a trade and economic corridor between Russia, Mongolia and China. Resume. Since the beginning of the 2000s, forms of cross-border cooperation between the countries of the Greater Altai have appeared. The developed concept of the economic council within the framework of the ISS «Altai» will help to implement cooperation in various areas.

VALUES AND PRACTICES OF THE SLAVIC-TURKIC UNITY OF THE PEOPLES OF RUSSIA AND THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL ASIA

Hundreds of archeological monuments are concentrated on the territory of the Great Altai, connectedwith all stages of the history of the Turkic community (the second half of the 5th — 11th centuries AD).They are represented by funerary and memorial objects, rock carvings, stone statues, objects of materialand spiritual culture, and samples of writing. The available materials testify to the significant prospects forfurther comprehensive study of the archaeological sites of the Turkic period in Altai. The implementation ofa program of interdisciplinary research, including a series of humanitarian and natural-science analyzes ofanthropological and osteological materials from archaeological complexes, seems to be relevant.

Geological History of the Great Altai: Implications for Mineral Exploration

The Great Altai region, located at the boundary of Russia, Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan, belongs to the system of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. It has undergone a long complex geological and metallogenic history. Extremely rich resources of base, precious, and rare metals (Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au, Li, Cs, Ta, Nb, REE, etc.) maintain developed mining and metallurgical industry, especially in East Kazakhstan, which is the key metallogenic province. The East Kazakhstan province comprises the Rudny Altai, Kalba-Narym, West-Kalba, and Zharma-Saur metallogenic belts, each having its typical mineralization profiles and deposits. The reconstructed geodynamic and metallogenic history of the Great Altai province, along with the revealed relationships between tectonic settings and mineralization patterns, allowed us to formulate a number of geodynamic, structural, lithostratigraphic, magmatic, mineralogical, and geochemical criteria for exploration and appraisal of mineral potential in Eastern Kazakhstan. Geodynamic criteria are based on the origin of different mineralization types in certain geodynamic settings during the Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic orogenic cycle. Structural criteria mean that the location of base-metal deposits in Rudny Altai, gold deposits in the West Kalba belt, rare and base metals in the Kalba-Narym and Zharma-Saur zones is controlled by faults of different sizes. Lithostratigraphic criteria consist of the relation of orebodies with certain types of sedimentary or volcanic-sedimentary rocks. Magmatic criteria are due to the relation between mineralization types and igneous lithologies. Mineralogical and geochemical criteria include typical minerals and elements that can serve as tracers of mineralization. The joint use of all these criteria will open new avenues in prospecting and exploration at a more advanced level.

Geodynamic settings of the formation of non-ferrous and noble metal deposits of the Great Altai

In this work, we investigated the geodynamic settings of the formation of non-ferrous and noble metal deposits in the territory of the Great Altai, including the folded systems of the South-Western Altai and the Irtysh-Zaisan. The structures of Southwestern Altai were formed in three stages: riftogenic, island-arc, and collisional. Rocks of two different age formations were formed during the rift stage: lead-zinc pyrite mineralization associated with basalt-bearing andesite-dacite-rhyolitic formations, and gold-silver-polymetallic mineralization associated with basalt-rhyolitic and basaltic andesite formations. In the collisional stage, deposits of gold-sulfide-quartz and gold-low-sulfide-quartz ore formations are associated with granitoid of gabbro-granodiorite-granite formations, and rare-metal deposits are associated with granite-leucogranite. In the Irtysh-Zaisan folded system, the riftogenic stage is occurred in the Chara Trough filled with volcanic-sedimentary and calcareous-terrigenous rocks of the flyschoid formation and in its eastern frontal part, where the Kalba-Narym Trough is composed of rocks of the slate formation, and the West Kalba is composed of flyschoid. Gold-sulfide-quartz deposits are confined to the Lower Carboniferous deposits of the terrigenous-carbonaceous formation. The island-arc stage is fixed in the structures to the west of the Chara Trough, where it is represented by the basaltic andesite formation (Zharma-Saur subzone) and carbonate-terrigenous flyschoid formation (Sarsazan subzone). In the collision stage, due to the development of granite-leucogranite formation, numerous rare-metal-rare-earth deposits have originated. The island-arc structures also contain deposits and occurrences of gold-quartz, copper-porphyry and other formations.

Astroclimate of the High Mountain Plains of the Greater Altai, According to Satellite Remote Sensing Data: Potential for Deploying a Full-Scale Gamma Astronomy Experiment

Astroclimate of the High Mountain Plains of the Greater Altai, According to Satellite Remote Sensing Data: Potential for Deploying a Full-Scale Gamma Astronomy Experiment

THE INTEGRITY OF MAN AND NATURE IN ORALKHAN BOKEI`S WORKS

Oralkhan Bokei is a unique person who has his own style in the world of literature. He describes accurately the truth of society, evil intent and noble qualities in human being by combining descriptions of nature and man. He is the writer who showed the charm of literary words with his own unique style. When mentioning the great Altai, we immediately think of Oralkhan Bokei. His sensual descriptions of the mysterious nature, his ability to create a beautiful image in reader`s mind, the style of speech set him apart from his contemporaries. The article deals with the relationship between man and nature, and their unity in Oralkhan Bokei`s works. Writer`s life and works are described. Writer`s skill in connecting situations in human`s life with natural phenomena is analyzed. The excerpts describing the Great Altai and natural phenomena were taken from the stories “Atau kere”, “Muztau”, “Saitan kopir” and analyzed, the integrity of man and nature is proven.

Средневековые зеркала из собрания Алтайского государственного краеведческого музея

The article presents the characteristic of medieval metal mirrors in the collection of the Altai State Museum of Local Lore (Barnaul). The analysis of three items (two fragments and one complete product) has been carried out. The authors reviewed the history of the formation of this small collection, and also provided a detailed description of each mirror. It has been established that the find from the Kirillovka-V complex is a part of an eight-bladed artifact, which, judging by the recorded characteristics, is an original Chinese mirror of the late Tang time. The fragment discovered during the excavations of the Khoroshonok-I necropolis has no analogies in the sites of North and Central Asia. The dating of both designated objects is determined by the last centuries of the 1st millennium AD. The third mirror was made during the Yuan Dynasty and belongs to a very rare type of product. The analysis of the considered group of objects from the Altai State Museum of Local Lore collection demonstrates a significant informational potential for further study of metal mirrors from museum collections, some of which have not yet been published and are not included in the context of modern research. Keywords: metal mirrors, Middle Ages, museum, Altai, archaeological sites, China, chronology Acknowledgements: The study was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Altai State University, project No. 748715Ф.99.1. ББ97АА00002 “The Turkic-Mongolian World of the “Great Altai”: Unity and Diversity in History and Modernity”.

TRANSBOUNDARY BIOSPHERE RESERVE “GREAT ALTAI”: FROM IDEA TO MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF BORDER REGIONS

Russian-Kazakhstani Transboundary Biosphere Reserve “Great Altai” was officially designated in 2017, after 19 years of planning different transboundary initiatives in the Altai region. It includes Biosphere Reserves “Katunskiy” of Russia and “Katon-Karagai” of Kazakhstan with total area exceeding 1.5 million ha. According to the principles of the MAB Programme, for this area zonation, coordinating managerial structure and management strategy were developed. Joint activities are in place for more than a decade, but only two functions of the biosphere reserves (namely conservation and logistics) are being implemented effectively. Activities, targeted to sustainable development of local communities, are implemented in a more sporadic manner, because of gaps in national legislations. Nevertheless, the transboundary cooperation develops and attracts more participants: Directorate of Protected Areas of Mongolian Altai and Nature Reserve “Karatal-Zhapyryk” from Kyrgyz Republic. Thus the model of transboundary cooperation for conservation of natural and cultural values is suggested and tested in the Altai, demonstrating that UNESCO Biosphere Reserves could serve as triggers and test sites for implementation of the conservation, development and humanitarian initiatives.

Лепная керамика периода поздней бронзы поселения Бурла-3

The article deals with the results of a comprehensive analysis of the molded ceramics of the Burla-3 settlement of the Late Bronze Age, carried out according to the method of A. A. Bobrinsky. Based on the study of molding masses (FM) of ceramic vessels, it has been established that the pottery tradition is represented by several groups associated with populations of different origins. The main one is the autochthonous technology for the use of chamotte as additives, at the same time, foreign cultural methods for the use of gruss are distinguished. The methods of designing vessels made it possible to reveal that the technological scheme of the Sargary-Alekseevsk culture is dominant. Correlation of the obtained data with the ornamental scheme of the ceramic complex made it possible to distinguish several technological groups: “Sargary-Alekseevskaya”, “Dongal”, “Irmenskaya”, and hybrid types between them. Keywords: Burla-3, Ob-Irtysh interfluve, steppe Altai, ceramics, technical and technological analysis, Late Bronze Age Acknowledgments: The article was prepared with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 20–18–00179 “Migration and the Processes of Ethnocultural Interaction as Factors in the Formation of Multiethnic Societies on the Territory of the Greater Altai in Antiquity and the Middle Ages: an Interdisciplinary Analysis of Archaeological and Anthropological Materials”.

Технология изготовления керамики андроновской (федоровской) культуры степного и лесостепного Алтая (по материалам исследований историко-культурного направления)

Based on the analysis of publications devoted to the study of ceramics of the Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture of the steppe and forest-steppe Altai, the article considers the peculiarities of pottery production, studied within the framework of the historical and cultural direction developed by A. A. Bobrinsky. Using the historical and cultural approach, the researchers studied the ceramic complexes of twelve settlements and two burial grounds of the Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture of Altai, totaling 559 vessels. On the basis of the published studies, the article gives a general characteristic of the technology for the manufacture of Andronovo ceramics of Altai is given, and identifies the main directions of research work reflecting the approaches to the analysis of the material considered. The available data on the technology of making dishes of the Andronovo (Fedorovo) culture allow us to say about the prospects of studying this topic from the standpoint of the historical and cultural direction. A. A. Bobrinsky’s approach makes it possible to draw conclusions about cultural traditions in pottery, reconstruct the directions of migration and reveal the mixing of population groups, which will contribute to solving the issues of the origin and periodization of the Fedorov culture not only of the steppe and forest-steppe Altai, but also of the entire area of distribution of the Andronovo cultural and historical community. Key words: Andronovo culture, Fedorovo culture, ceramics, historical and cultural approach, history of study Acknowledgments: This work was financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 20–18–00179 “Migration and the Processes of Ethnocultural Interaction as Factors in the Formation of Multiethnic Societies on the Territory of the Greater Altai in Antiquity and the Middle Ages: Interdisciplinary Analysis of Archaeological and Anthropological Materials”.

Unity and diversity turko-mongol world: Kultobe settlement as a crossroads of religions and cultures

The culture and art of the Turkic-Mongolian world is one of the deepest subjects of the humanities, which again and again take the attention of researchers. The historical vicissitudes, which was formed over many centuries, contributed to spread Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam in the Great Steppe. We can see it in unique art artifacts and architectural structures. This article is devoted to unity and diversity study of the Turkic-Mongolian world, based on the example of the Kultobe settlement, which is presented by the authors as the oldest peculiar crossroads of religions and cultures. The Kultobe settlement, during scientific years and archaeological research by the Kazakh Research Institute of Culture, truly unique material evidence (architectural objects and artifacts) was discovered, which allows us to speak of this unique monument of archeology as one of the “crossroads” of religions and cultures in the Turkic-Mongolian world. The Kultobe settlement and later Yasi, a spiritual and religious place, developed -Turkic Sufism. The famous Sufi and poet K.A.Yasawi lived and preached here. The work was prepared under the state assignment of the Altai State University, project №748715Ф.99.1.ББ97АА00002 “The Turkic-Mongolian world of the “Greater Altai”: unity and diversity in history and modernity.”

Формирование туристского бренда на примере Большого Алтая

The cross-border territory of the Greater Altai (Russia-Mongolia-Kazakhstan-China) is considered in the context of international cooperation and tourism development as a special form of intercultural communication. The article analyzes natural and cultural features, historical circumstances and modern conditions for the development of cross-border cooperation in the field of tourism. Based on the analysis of approaches to the formation of country brands in domestic and foreign literature, the definition of the territory brand is given. There are differences in the formation of national and transnational brands, the main of which is taking into account the characteristics of each cross-border territory (different tourist potential, organizational and economic structure, political structure, priorities in the development of tourism). The evaluation of the tourism potential of the territories using cluster analysis on 8 indicators: number of UNESCO sites, the density of historical, cultural and natural sites, the proportion of the area of specially protected natural territories (SPNT), the capacity of hotel rooms, visa status, degree of participation in the project of greater Altai, the complex index of transport accessibility, in turn consisting of 4 parameters (density of the railway, highways, passenger traffic, number of crossings). Sub-brands have been formed for each region and a common potential brand of the Greater Altai has been identified, which can be used to promote the Greater Altai as a tourist territory.

Ecological background of the transboundary protected touristic territory in Western Altai

Among the priority areas of international cooperation, environmental activities and the environmental imperative can be distinguished, which is directly reflected in the development of networks of specially protected natural areas (SPNA) of bordering countries, represented by various forms of organization of environmental institutions (biosphere reserves, nature reserves, national and natural parks, wildlife sanctuaries, etc.). International transboundary territories can often include objects of environmental protection and conservation of biological and landscape diversity of border regions, in particular, transboundary SPNA. The article deals with the organization of transboundary tourist areas in the Altai, including environmental institutions – transboundary conservation and tourist territories (TCTT). As an example, the transboundary biosphere reserve "Great Altai" on the basis of the State Natural Biosphere Reserve "Katunsky" (Russia, Altai Republic) and Katon-Karagay State National Natural Park (Kazakhstan, East-Kazakhstan region) is given. It is proposed to organize SPNA in the Russian-Kazakh border area of the Western Altai – Altai Krai (Russia) and East-Kazakhstan Region (Kazakhstan). Analyzed and evaluated the natural and tourist potential and protected areas of the region for the organization of SPNA in Western Altai.

ЛИНГВОКУЛЬТУРОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ СОДЕРЖАНИЕ КОНЦЕПТА СЕМЬЯ В КАРТИНЕ МИРА НАРОДОВ БОЛЬШОГО АЛТАЯ (ПО ДАННЫМ КЛОУЗ-ТЕСТИРОВАНИЯ)

The article deals with a fragment of the conceptual sphere of the Chinese and Kazakh peoples living in the Great Altai region. The functioning of the concept “семья / family” is described at the present stage of the development of the languages and cultures of these peoples. The cloze-testing method was adapted and applied for the reconstruction of the national conceptual sphere for the first time. On its basis, the semantic content of the encyclopaedic and evaluation areas of the concept “семья / family” in the worldviews of the Kazakhs and the Chinese is revealed. The national perception of family relations varies significantly among these peoples living in the same region.

“Our Common Home – Altai”: international ecological-economical and humanitarian integration in the Altai region

Cooperation of the border regions of the four countries, whose territories are located in the Altai mountain system, the so-called “The Great Altai”, contributed to the establishment of the International Coordination Council “Our Common Home – Altai” (ICC “Altai”) in 2003. The ICC “Altai” includes representatives of the legislative (representative) and executive powers of the Altai region and the Republic of Altai (Russian Federation), East Kazakhstan Region (The Republic of Kazakhstan), Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (People’s Republic of China), and Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii aimags (Mongolia). The main objectives of the ICC “Altai” are the development and strengthening of trust, mutual understanding and good neighborliness among representatives of states, cultures and nationalities in the strategically significant Eurasian region of the Great Altai, as well as ensuring sustainable social and economic development of the border areas. In the conditions of geopolitical splits and geoeconomic rivalries that have become more complicated and openly manifested in international relations, the processes of consolidation of border regions and actions to create cross-border economic actors are updated in a new way. The need for joint measures and steps to stimulate the competitiveness of local economies in the territories of the Great Altai makes it necessary to develop common governance and coordination structures.

Network Interactions in the Great Altai Region

To improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the regional economy, an effective interaction between educational institutions in the Great Altai region is needed. The innovation growth can enhancing this interaction. The article explores the state of network structures in the economy and higher education in the border territories of the countries of Great Altai. The authors propose an updated approach to the three-level classification of network interaction. We analyze growing influence of the countries with emerging economies. We define the factors that impede the more stable and multifaceted regional development of these countries. Further, the authors determine indicators of the higher education systems and cooperation systems at the university level between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries (SCO) and BRICS countries, showing the international rankings of the universities in these countries. The teaching language is important to overcome the obstacles in the interregional cooperation. The authors specify the problems of the development of the universities of the SCO and BRICS countries as global educational networks. The research applies basic scientific logical methods of analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, as well as the SWOT analysis method. We have indentified and analyzed the existing economic and educational relations. To promote the economic innovation development of the border territories of the Great Altai, we propose a model of regional network university. Modern universities function in a new economic environment. Thus, in a great extent, they form the technological and social aspects of this environment. Innovative network structures contribute to the formation of a new network institutional environment of the regional economy, which impacts the macro- and microeconomic performance of the region as a whole. The results of the research can help to optimize the regional economies of the border territories in neighboring countries.