Russian Archaeology

This article presents a technical and technological analysis of an assemblage of Neolithic pottery from the Proslishche 1 site excavated in 2025. The research objective was to describe and systematize the basic elements of the ornamentation and identify two types of ornamentation tools – artificial and natural ones. The authors analyzed over 20 different types of impressions, conducted experimental modeling and made comparisons with impressions obtained from a reference collection of animal bones. It was established that both types of ornamentation tools were used, their quantitatively predominant forms were identified. The authors set the tasks for further research into the ornamentation traditions of Neolithic pottery in the Upper Dnieper region and neighbouring territories.

The article considers a set of celts with ears shaped as a bird of prey from Krasnoyarsk Krai(29 items). These objects are dated within the 7th–3rd centuries BC and according to the M.P. Gryaznov’s classification belong with type IV celts. The paper analyzes the morphological variability of the celts as a consequence of the continuity of various cultural traditions including Seima-Turbino, Samus-Kizhir, Karasuk, and Tagar ones. As part of the study, key features for creating a classification scheme were identified including shape of ears and their attachment points, celt body shape, section area of the sleeve, and presence/absence of the socket. Based on the above analysis, the authors developed a scheme with six form variations of celts with ears shaped as a bird of prey. The study identified features characteristic of earlier groups of celts, such as elongated bodies and an oval sleeve. It should be noted that the ornament of shaded triangles also pertains to earlier forms, particularly to the Karasuk style. Most celts have ears in the form of a bird of prey located at the edge of the sleeve, and only seven items have ears located lower. The socket as a structural element has four types. In the most archaic and earliest celts in the series, the socket is absent(type 1). Later, a tradition emerged to emphasize the socket rim in a special way, for example, with a thin flat belt(type 2). Some celts have a narrow and slightly reinforced socket(type 3). The latest type in this sequence is the “classic” wide “clutch”(type 4). The ear shape of the celts remains unchanged during the 6th–3rd centuries BC. The bird’s neck is missing, the cere(on the beak) is not shown, there is no openwork hood. Generally, it is a stylized depiction of an eagle’s head. As a rule, the ears are well cast, the “eye” is through, and the “beak” looks up towards the sleeve. The appearance of the celts with ears shaped as the head of a bird of prey was formed over a long period. With a high degree of probability, it can be assumed that in some celts there are elements of earlier forms. The dynamics of the morphological variability of the celts within this group indicates the preservation of stable traditions and conservatism in the bronze foundry.

The article analyzes Zarubintsy culture cremations in the Prypyat Polesie region (Velemichi-II and Otverzhichi grave fields), which have been studied by physical anthropologists, in order to determine the relation of dress accessories within grave furniture (brooches, pins, belt fittings) to the sex of the interred. The study established the dominance of single iron brooch dress model in male burials and the exclusiveness of double bronze brooch (often of the so-called Zarubintsy-type) dress model – often accompanied by additional iron brooch and/or pin – to female burials. Based on a comparison of Polesian Zarubintsy cremations with Northern Black Sea region inhumations containing La Tène style brooches, as well as with materials of the “latènised” cultures – principally, with Pre-Roman textile finds in Jutland peat bogs – the author makes some assumptions on possible Zarubintsy culture costume traits.

The issue of the foundation of Rus' Murom is inseparable from geographical, historical, and archaeological realities. From the turn of the 5th–6th centuries AD, the Volga Finns referred to as Muromians in Russian chronicles were active in Murom region of the Lower Oka, taking the advantages of a fertile landscape. From the 8th to mid-10th century AD, the Muromian people were involved in interregional trade with the Orient bringing in Kufic silver, artifacts from the Cis-Urals, and the Khazar Khaganate. The settlements, as well as the sanctuary and burial grounds, compactly located within the territory of the modern town of Murom and its environs, constitute almost half of the sites from that period on the Oka left bank. This agglomeration can be defined as a tribal centre. In the late 10th century AD, with the arrival of people with “Druzhina” culture inventory, a “town” with syncretic population was founded there, which is evidenced by finds from the initial layer of the Kremlin. The foundations of the Rus' town of Murom were apparently laid at the end of the 11th century.

The article approaches the resolution of a long-standing debate around the construction date of the Bratsk Ostrog(stockade town) towers. In 2010, a dendrochronological dating of the southwestern tower(no earlier than 1684) was published sparking controversy among researchers. To conclusively clarify this issue, a comprehensive study was conducted, encompassing all possible sources of information: historical and archaeological data, as well as dendrochronological materials from both structures. The research methodology was based on an interdisciplinary approach combining natural science and historical methods. As a result, the analysis of construction timber from the upper and lower tiers of the log frame, as well as internal structural elements of the southwestern tower, refuted the commonly accepted construction date of 1654. Furthermore, the assumption that the southwestern and northwestern towers of the Bratsk Ostrog were built at different time(as their construction techniques differ) was not supported. Dendrochronological analysis demonstrated that both towers were constructed simultaneously in 1685, which aligns with historical and archaeological evidence and confirms the validity of the earlier dendrochronological dating. The obtained results conclusively determine the construction period of the two surviving towers of the Bratsk Ostrog and open new avenues for research into the architectural history of Siberian fortifications.

The paper analyzes finds of long-bladed weapons from the Bulan-Koby culture site of the 2nd half of the 4th – 1st half of the 5th century AD. The authors provide a detailed description of the shape and design of the swords, their dimensions, graphic drawings and photographs. The article examines analogies in the design details of swords, the time of their emergence and use in East Asia. It is concluded that the swords from the Yaloman II burial ground belong to the Xianbei weapon tradition, which is characterized by such features as a cut-off blade tip, a pronounced shoulder, a ring and disk pommel, and a disk on the handle. This tradition was based on the Xiongnu heritage and developed in close interaction with the Chinese weapons complex. Xianbei swords could have reached the Altai nomads through the Rouran. It is possible that they could have been made and modified in the local environment according to individual samples.

Murals have been widespread in China for centuries. They were used for decorating walls, cave ceilings, temples, tombs and houses. As time passed, this kind of painting changed both in terms of artistic expression, and in its subject matter and purpose. For a long time, however, a lot of artworks located in remote areas were inaccessible for the general public. In addition, a number of archaeological sites with murals were only discovered in the second half of the 20th century – early 21st century. Lately, driven by the surge of interest in national culture and the need for its actualization, popularizing cultural heritage relics has become topical, especially in the context of archaeological museums, which are prevalent in China. Yet, the link between the murals and the architectural relics made it difficult to accomplish this purpose. However, a series of exhibition projects in Shaanxi Province and the establishment of a museum in Taiyuan suggest that Chinese experts are currently searching way of exhibiting these relics and developing an approach to their museum presentation and interpretation. It is worth noting that such projects are only possible when museum officials cooperate closely with archaeologists.