THE WOODEN BOX FROM THE URYSAY-2 COMPLEX (WESTERN KAZAKHSTAN, 5th CENTURY BCE): AN INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study, restoration, and reconstruction of a poplar box originating from kurgan No. 13 of the Urysay-2 burial site. This box contained a set of ritual objects associated with a female “priestess”. The box was positioned behind the head of the deceased and was a low, square container with straight sides and a separate flat lid. The specific set of objects found in the box included a mirror, a cedar block, a “spoon” with traces of paint, a small organic vessel (leather? felt?), and silk fabric, supplemented by a small stone altar and a set of tools found nearby. During fieldwork, the box was removed in one block. Subsequently, an MRI scan was performed; a comprehensive set of procedures was conducted to identify the material of the finds, their physicochemical composition, conservation, and restoration; a 3D reconstruction of the box and the items was carried out.

Keywords

• urysay-2
• kurgan
• burial
• sarmatians
• female “priestess”
• box
• урысай-2
• курган
• погребение
• сарматы
• женщина-«жрица»
• шкатулка