The Economy of the Kara-Abyz Culture Bearers Based on the Materials of the National Museum of the Republic of Bashkortostan Archaeological Expeditions on the Sites at the Kurman-Tau Mountain

Abstract

The article presents the results of 2012–2018 studies on the territory of the archaeological microdistrict of the mount Kurman-Tau in the Gafuriyskiy district of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The author conducted archaeological reconnaissances and excavations on 8 settlement sites, as a result of which an archaeological microdistrict was identified. The settlements functioned from the Bronze Age (Abashevo and Alakul cultures) to the Early Iron Age (Kurman-Tau culture, Kara-Abyz culture, Gafury type). The materials were analyzed by paleopedologists, osteologists. Spectral analyses of the metal and spore-pollen analyses were fulfilled. Based on these data, the heterogeneity of the economy was determined in different periods of the functioning of the settlements of the Kurman-Tau microdistrict. There was a transition from a more sedentary life during the Bronze Age to semi-nomadic cattle-breeding during the Early Iron Age. One of the activities of the bearers of the Kurman-Tau culture and the Kara-Abyz culture was metalworking and bronze foundry during the period of Late Bronze – Early Iron Ages in this area. This conclusion is evidenced by findings of slags, metal splashes, a casting bowl, molds and other products. The results of the author's work show continuity in the economy between the bearers of two cultures on the territory of the Gafuriyskiy district.

Keywords

• archaeology
• republic of bashkortostan
• kara-abyz culture
• early iron age
• kurman-tau culture
• gafury cultural complex
• abashevo culture
• alakul culture
• archaeological microdistrict
• metallurgy
• metalworking
• economy