NEW STONE STATUES OF THE SACA PERIOD FROM SARYARKA

Abstract

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The paper introduces into scientific use five anthropomorphic stone statues found in Early Iron Age burial sites and barrows in Saryarka territory. Datings of these archaeological complexes by archaeological and radiocarbon methods allowed us to attribute the discussed statues to the period of the VII – V centuries B. C. Comparative analysis of the depictive peculiarities of the announced statues discovered features similar both to the known Saryarka statues of the Saka Period and to Scythian statues of the VII – V centuries B. C. Statues with a specific feature – hemispheric “clour” on the top of the head – were determined to present a type of the Saka Period sculpture.

Keywords

• anthropomorphic stone statues
• burial mounds
• early iron age
• saka period
• saryarka