Technological research into the metal attributes of the Northern Selkup shaman costume of the XVII–XVIII centuries

Abstract

To reconstruct the technological methods and technical achievements of Northern Selkup blacksmiths, the components of the Northern Selkup shaman costume, which is composed of ferrous metal, were studied using metallographic analysis methods. The materials were found in two graves in a Kikki-akki burial ground from the XVII–XVIII centuries (Western Siberia, Taz river). It was found that the basic raw materials for production were unevenly carbonized steel and soft iron; high-carbon steel was also found in rare instances, which was most likely received by Northern Selkup blacksmiths from Russia. The iron items of the shaman costume were forged by professional blacksmiths who possessed complex technological skills and production equipment.

Keywords

• western siberia
• late middle ages
• upper-taz selkups
• shaman costume
• ferrous metal
• metallographic analysis
• production technology