Гуманитарный вектор (Dec 2019)
A New Taiga Rock Art Site of Transbaikalia: on the Crossroads of Time and Space
Abstract
The paper presents data on a new rock art site Imandan-Makit which is located in the upper reaches of the Nercha river (Zabaykalsky Krai, Tungokochensky district). The survey of the site included description, photography, GPS and preservation assessment. This site recorded by A. V. Konstantinov as well as field research recently carried out by I. A. Ponomareva in Transbaikalia allow reassessing the issue of the phenomenal Taiga rock art of northern Transbaikalia which has been culturally connected to the adjacent northern Amur oblast and southern Yakutia. Based on the analysis of the Imandan-Makit depictions, the site is attributed to the period of 4500–3500 BP, the time when the Neolithic traditions persisted in some areas of East Siberia, while in others, a transition to the Early Bronze Age was taking place. Historical and cultural contexts of the site and the connections with the closest rock art areas of the Shilka, Olyokma and Vitim river basins basins are discussed. Although Imandan-Makit is equidistant from known rock art areas in the valleys of the Olyokma, Shilka and Vitim rivers, the images stylistically bear more resemblance to the Olyokma rock art. Notwithstanding the remoteness of Imandan-Makit, the area of north-eastern TransBaikalia, northern Amur oblast and southern Yakutia was closely connected to other areas of Siberia, Central and East Asia which is attested by some motifs present at the site. In addition, valuable observations were made by A. V. Konstantinov during the survey on the important role of the site in the contemporary Evenki culture. It is concluded that the further research on the Taiga rock art is needed to better understand the history and culture of the region.
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