Historical sciences

Candidate of Historical Sciences Egamberdiev Myrzahan and master student Sagyndykova Symbat. Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty.

Е-mail. Symbat_s93@mail.ru

Some Aspects of the Study Chariot Complexes Kazakhstan (on the Example of the Northern and Central Regions)

 
Article is devoted to consideration the chariot complexes of Northern and Central Kazakhstan which reveals the high degree of development of Bronze Age tribes. Development of the population reflects a funeral ceremony, beliefs of the people, household objects. The paper shows the process of excavation chariot monuments Berlik, Satan, Ashchisu. Chariot complexes are well known in the steppes of Eurasia, as a progressive technique of that time. They were multifunctional, used as a vehicle movement, had great military and religious significance.
Both the Russian, and domestic archeologists researched the considered monuments. During studying the materials concerning chariots of a bronze age of the Central and Northern Kazakhstan were covered. Archeological excavations revealed features of funeral complexes, such as remnants of wheels from chariots together with rims and spokes, skeletons as a cattle and dogs are also found. It shows well developed cattle breeding and a domestication of pets, and also knowledge of creation of chariots.

The chariot complex considered in article is dated within 3-2 millennia B.C.

Keywords: chariots, mounds, military equipment, funerary monuments.

Introduction

Emergence of the light chariot harnessed by horses caused the real revolution in social and economic and spiritual life of steppe societies of Eurasia. Chariots were developed for the military and ritual purpose, the bulk of chariots was used as a control facility huge herds of domestic animals.

Work is devoted to the comparative analysis and consideration of two cultures where funeral monuments, difficult on a structure, which supply to us with the information on rich culture were found. At that time breeding associations professionally owned the chariot at the level of Greek-Roman cultures. For example, studying of a complex can be divided into some categories. Chariots were used in military equipment as the vehicle, religious attributes, and it was possible to determine the social status by them.

At the moment in an Asian part of the Eurasian steppe a big series of burial grounds and group of barrows with the remnants of chariots is already known. Among them there are chariot monuments in Northern (Kenes, Ulubay, Berlik II, Novonikolskoye), Western (Tanabergen 2) and the Central Kazakhstan (Satan, to Ashchisu, Nurtay, Ayapbergen, Bozingen) [Novozhenov, Vladimir. 2011]. All known finds of chariots in the territory of Kazakhstan originate from the Petrov and Alakul' monuments of the Western, Northern and Central Kazakhstan.

The researches of Kazakhstan, Ural-Kazakhstan chariot complexes were hold by Gennady Zdanovich, Vladimir Gening, Valery Evdokimov, Alexey Tkachyov, Andrey Epimakhov, Ilya Kukushkin and others [Evdokimov, Valeri. 2002].

Opinions of researchers on this problem has different foreshortenings. Among them it can be especially noted Nikolaus Boroffko who consider that chariots have to be seen more as luxury good for demonstration of the social status of a certain group of people, but not as mean of war or hunting originally but not as private mean of war or hunting [Boroffka, Nikolaus. 1999]. It is possible to give an example as the proof - with chariots buried not only men, but also children and women. Nikolay Vinogradov on the basis of studying the Sintashtinsk complexes adheres to such conclusion that at interpretation of burials with the remnants of chariots it is necessary to take into consideration the importance of funeral ceremonialism. The putting to some people's grave two-wheeled vehicles can be connected with belief in the Indo-European myth about a soul travel [Vinogradov, Nikolai. 2003]. The religious attributes of the ancient world are very difficult, and demand a separate research. There have to be people trusted in an after life, and assumed that certain things and in other world can be necessary for the dead.

In this regard scientific work is considered on the basis of two sections, which reveal military base, features of life and household mode of tribes on the basis of funeral monuments.

I. Chariot Complexes of Northern Kazakhstan as the Sign of Vital Functions and Outlooks of the Population of the Region

Burials of the men-warrior or chariot warrior representing special social group are investigated in burial grounds Kenes, Ulubay, Berlik, Novonikolsk. The most interesting chariot burial in Northern Kazakhstan is the burial mound Berlik, there fore in this section activity of the population is considered on two barrows of a burial ground Berlik II. The monument is located on the left river Ishim, in 130 km to the Southwest from Petropavlovsk [Zdanovich, Genadiy. 1988]. The chariot attributes of the Berlik burial ground are noted in barrows № 2 and № 10.

Barrow 2 with a diameter of 18` m, up to 0,2` m high. Under barrow platform six holes are recorded. Around the central hole the clay ring is traced, thickness of a clay layer of the platform to the periphery lessens. On clay along each of the long sides of a hole two horse skeletons lie by the heads to the west, and by the legs in opposite direction to a hole. Legs of horses are turned in backbones are curved by an arch. At east edge of a hole there are two skulls and four pairs of limbs of cattle. The hole № 1 has the funeral camera which walls are put from light viscous clay. In the filling of a hole, closer to its center, at a depth of 1`m it is fixed the area of plunged from above clay platform, on which two skeletons of dogs without skulls and several incisor teeth of animals, and also three couples of branchiate covers of large fishes are remained. On a ledge of a northern wall edges and teeth of a horse, in a northeast corner - the horse skull focused to the north are found. At the bottom of the funeral camera the bronze borers and a large clip, in the filling at different depths fragments of 16 jars are found. Judging by finds it is more than one jar the pottery in this region was well developed.

In east half of the funeral camera two parallel poles from wheels are found. In a section against the background of clay filling in northern deepening a part of a rim and two spokes, in southern - a fragment of a rim and prints of three spokes are set. As only fragments of wheels from chariots were found, not its full structure, it is possible to claim safely that the barrow of bad safety or was initially buried by parts of wheels in the form of imitation of the chariot. Several bones of an adult spicemen of a horse are found in a hole 4, at the bottom of a hole 6 - a puncture and small pieces of the burned tree [Zdanovich, Genadiy. 74].

Burial of the dead not simply on the crude earth, and on the clay platform shows the high importance of a funeral ceremony. The dead was focused by the head to the west, that is towards a sunset that is characteristic to traditions of a bronze age, which shows passing from this world. Also in a barrow remnants of a cattle, dogs, and branchiate covers of large fishes are revealed.

As it is known that the cattle breeding arose in a bronze era to what these finds testify. Artifacts show, as fishery was well developed, and occupied an integral part of activity of the people. In addition there are traces a domestication of pets, dogs were considered as the defender and the conductor of the person on the way to a next world.

Barrow 10 with a diameter of 12` m, up to 0, 1` m high. A northwest part of an embankment is not opened as it appeared within a fencing of the modern Kazakh cemetery. In the central part of the under barrow platform the rectangular grave hole focused on the line the West-East is fixed. Around a hole the clay platform up to 10` cm thick is located as a ring form. On a clay layer, in the southern wall of a grave the skeleton of the horse lying on the right side with the turned - in limbs, the head to the west is found. The horse was an integral part of life of people, and had many functions in activity of the population. Generally tribes of the considered region went in for cattle breeding, therefore also a role of a horse as transport of movement it was big. At distance of 0,7-1,0` m from skulls two jar of a can form are found. Most likely, in these jars there was a funeral food for the dead. Walls and a floor of a grave hole are framed with a layer of light clay up to 20` cm thick. On a floor of the funeral camera at east wall two narrow oval deepenings located in parallel each other are accurately fixed. When opening deepenings it is revealed that their walls are covered with a clay layer. In a section of a northern pole at a bottom small fragments of a tree from a wheel rim are fixed. The initial covering of a wall of deepening by clay shows imitation of wheels. Chariots were not cheap transport, there fore instead of burial of the chariot, its imitation or burial of a part of wheels had been made. Four stone tips of arrows are found in the western part of the Southern deepening. The fifth tip is found in a hole near deepening [Hudyakov, Iuriy. 2002]. As the tips were made of a stone, it is possible to assume that the metallurgy was not well adjusted yet, and people used the stone tips of arrows checked by time. At a depth of 0,7` m at the western wall of the funeral camera it is found three bone psalms-two archaeological valuable and one in fragments. In the center of a hole on a floor bones of foot and fragments of a skull of the person are cleared away that testifies to his bad safety. At east wall the bronze pricker is found, has to be, and workmanship was well developed during this period.

Nowadays, nobody researches grave barrows with chariot complexes of Northern Kazakhstan. But earlier North Kazakhstan and Ural - Kazakhstan archaeological expeditions and groups were engaged in studying of such monuments.

On these barrows we see that in activity of the population of the looked-through region a high role was played by cattle breeding economy, fishery and pottery was developed. Also people had a wide outlook, they saw things from different foreshortenings. For example, the chariot was not only transport of movement, but also played a role in burial of the dead, on their beliefs, went together with the owner to a next world.

II. Chariot Complexes of the Central Kazakhstan as Factor of Military Art

In the Central Kazakhstan chariot burials can be met in the barrow groups: Satan, Ashchisu, Nurtay, Ayapbergen, Bozingen [Novozhenov, Vladimir. 248]. In this section the military science of the explored region is considered on burial grounds Satan and Ashchisu.

Burial ground Satan includes three under barrow burials of the charriot warrior. Barrows are located at hill top. As is well-known in the ancient time people were buried or on other coast of the lake that separated the world of the dead from the world of live on their beliefs or the dead was tried to be buried above, as shows a monument.

The damaged, broken fragments of the ornamented clay jars, bone squared psalm from bridle set, a fragment of a gilded ring, a bronze pendant, a paste beads, a silicon tip of an arrow are found in graves [Sotnikova, Svetlana. 2014]. The monument was plundered, perhaps these things were not of value for robbers, and in the course they were damaged or they initially were in such look that it can be connected with other factors of life of people.

Amazement of archeologists was caused by the remains of two-wheeled fighting vehicles or chariots. Thanks to the fact that wheels were driven approximately on one quarter in flutes at the bottom of a grave hole it was succeeded to record accurate prints of a rim and spokes. There were remained semi-burned remnants of wheels, a platform and probably sidewalls.

In a bronze age in the Central Kazakhstan traditions of burial of the dead there was their cremation, semi-burning of wheels can be connected with belief in transition of the chariot together with the dead in a next world. Wheels were put in soil holes in the western part of a grave. It was succeeded to find out such additional details as covering rims by skin, most likely crude which when drying pulled together the last and served as the tyre in modern understanding. The remained piece of skin had red color that can demonstrate also ritual purpose of chariots. Skin fastened from the inside by bone nails. On the center of the internal plane of a rim there was a circular groove in which round poles were hollowed, where wheel spokes were inserted. The part of one nave (plug) where spokes fastened and passed the axis, on which inserted wheels is remained. From all this skill in creations of the chariot, definitely is noticeable, this type of transport was well familiar and was widely used by tribes in that region.

In the same graves on a design sometimes were made burials of women with a rich set of stock, including numerous jewelry, such as channeled bracelets, pendants in one and a half turns, a metal beads and glass beads, difficult plaits with the ornamented necklace plates of bone [Bochkarev, Vadim. 2010]. Burial in the same graves and women testifies about separate social class which included chariot warriors and which status inherited. Chariot warriors took a special position in military science, there fore it is quite possibly that they belong to special social class.

The most essential results were received at a research of four barrows of a burial ground Ashchisu relating to a bronze era. All barrows had an earth embankment and were surrounded with the ring ditch opened from West side. On the place of burial the clay platform was arranged, which is usually limited to a roundish fencing in the plan from the small plates established edgeways. Burials were followed by burials of the horses laid on the clay platform. And in two cases rather well remained pair skeletons of the horses symbolizing a chariot harness were fixed [Kukushkin, Il'ya. 2010]. In this barrow there was an imitation of the chariot by horses, but without the chariot.

Burials of the pair «drafter» horses, laid on one side in the western sector of a barrow out or on the edge of funeral cameras, characterizes to a great extent central Kazakhstan tradition. When holding this ritual fire was quite often used, noted, as a rule in the form of the ashen layer spreading skeletons of horses. Fire was not seldom used in a bronze age in this region at burial of the dead, it is connected with fire cult in which the people trusted. The arrangement of skeletons of the horses laid at the edges of funeral cameras can indicate a certain Petrovsk influence to burials [Kukushkin, Il'ya. 28].

The funeral stock of a burial ground is presented by the weapon, instruments of labor and jewelry made of bronze, a carved bone in the form of gabled ornamented psalm and goads clutch, silicon tips of arrows, a collection of ceramic ware with a geometrical ornament and with sharp rib, and also with a copper jar on the ring pallet with sharp rib. First of all chariot complexes are burials of chariot warriors, therefore presence of a military weapon among funeral stock is quite clear. In the form of remote weapon at burials there are tips of arrows that also indicates the dead of warrior, but not the rank-and-file member of the tribe.

Thus, burials of the Central Kazakhstan with chariot attributes were made only in barrows. In one barrow the chariot remnants were fixed, in four other barrows pair skeletons of «drafter» horses are found , and in three cases the rituals connected with fire use are revealed. In all the chariot burials there is remote combat weapon in the form of bone or silicon arrowhead. In two funeral complexes finds of two the gabled psalm, the horses confirming wide use as draft animals are noted. From all this we see that the studied burials give a lot of information on military art of a bronze age of the region.

Conclusion

Before the spreading of riding, the harnessed wheel vehicles were the main vehicle and transportations, they were widely used in warfare, applied to conducting fight in the open area of the Central and Northern Kazakhstan.

According to two considered sections it is possible to conclude that in activity of tribes of a bronze age a high role was played by cattle breeding, fishery and workmanship. In barrows there are burials of a horse at the place with gabled psalm that shows their domestication. The branchiate covers of fishes which were perhaps intending for a ritual are also found or were used as ornament.

Chariot complexes mainly testify about development of military equipment and about professionalism in its construction in a bronze age. Wheels were fitted by crude skin that when drying it pulled together a wheel, and served as protection. Together with the chariot also tips of arrows in the form of distant weapon were buried that also shows military attributes of monuments.

In the chariot burial grounds besides burial of men, there are women's and children's burials. Perhaps the status the chariot warriors was transferred in the hereditary way, and was separate social group in hierarchical society of that time.

It can be noted that in both regions the burials were made on the clay platform, and also in some barrows there was an imitation of the chariot, but not its presence. Imitation was represented by horse teams and holes for chariot wheels. It is supposed that all this is connected with the general concepts of that time and with traditions that characterize cultures of these regions.

When carrying out archeological excavations there were many problems connected with bad safety and a pillage of monuments. The chariot a wooden construction there fore its preservation in the whole look is almost impossible. All details of the chariot are kept only in parts, and it in turn complicates work. The majority of monuments always meet in the plundered look, therefore some things could not be defined with what they initially. At robberies also the design of burial deteriorates, there fore it is often difficult to present initial shape of the funeral camera.

It would be desirable to note low-study the chariot complexes of Kazakhstan, a lack of material for the data analysis of other complexes of the Euroasian steppes. Further researches of monuments of this category will allow to plan solutions of the whole range of such problems as chronology and a periodization, ethnocultural attributes, dynamics and an orientation of Andronov culture genesis.

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