New Sample of Ancient Art from Kazakh Altay

Abstract

In the paper, for the first time, the results of a laboratory study of a finding representing a fragment of a saddle coat are entered into a scientific circulation. Embroidery was being able to be reconstructed after 18 years since the discovery. The find came from the excavation of the mound number 11 of the Berel burial ground, studied by an international expedition of the A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology under the leadership of Z. Samashev in 1998–1999. Separate fragments of embroidery, found in different places of the burial chamber, underwent a full cycle of conservation. The combination of computer and physical assembly of the decor, by examining every shred of textile, made it possible to reveal the embroidery plot. On the saddle cover there is a scene of the agony of a hoofed animal by four predators, repeating almost mirrored on both sides of the covering, along a saddle groove a band of vegetative ornament is located. Conservation and restoration work, including research materials, lasted several years. Works are performed with financial support from the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Keywords

• archaeology
• Kazakh Altay
• Berel
• Early Iron Age
• conservation
• restoration
• conglomerates
• saddles
• textiles