Metal objects found in burial complexes of Khantau transit corridor

Abstract

The article gives systematic analysis of the Bronze Age metal grave goods discovered during the archaeological excavations made in Khantau transit corridor located on the border of the Central Kazakh steppes and the foothill zone of Northern Tien Shan region. Typologization and cultural-chronological attribution of bronze products connects them with the development of the Alakul-Atasu and Fedorovo-Nurin components of the Andronovo community and the formation of a Begazy-Sargara culture on their basis, which absorbed some of their elements and continued the tradition of active cultural interaction and mutual influence of the ancient population of Central Kazakhstan and Jetysu. The results of radiocarbon analyses on bones and charcoal from the burial grounds of the Bronze Age Jetysu clarify the chronological framework for the development of blacksmith craft traditions. These data impress the previously known materials of the alleged beginning of the development of Andronovo cultural traditions in metallurgy and metalworking until the turn of the 20–19 centuries BC. Studies of funerary traditions and material of the Bronze Age of the region suggest that the mass migrations of the Andronovo population of Central Kazakhstan through the Khantau transit corridor were associated with the development of blacksmith craft and the development of new mining regions of the Shu-Ile Mountains. Continued research of archaeological sites and materials of the Bronze Age of the region will reveal the prospect of the development of metallurgical production in the Shu-Ile interfluve and its impact ment of ancient cultures of Central Asia, which makes their continuation especially relevant.