Vasilii Soenov

The article presents the first results of the joint Russian-Japanese expedition to study the monuments of ferrous metallurgy on the territory of three districts of the Republic of Altai – Ongudai, Kosh-Agach and Ulagan in the autumn of 2017. We searched and identified places with remnants of iron-making production. We examined the furnaces and sampling of the charcoal for radiocarbon analysis following the discovery. A total, nine sites with remnants of iron-making production were surveyed: Nizhnee Sooru, Bolshoy Ilgumen, Zolotarevka, Kuyaktanar–1 and Kuyaktanar–2, Yustyd (left and right bank), Kara-Suu, Balyktyule. On the sites, where it was possible, we have taken the pieces of the slag with inclusions of the coal, it guarantees the most accurate determination of the melting time, since their belonging to a particular smelting process is beyond doubt. Analysis of the selected samples allowed to obtain the six AMS-dates in the laboratory of the Institute of Accelerator Analysis Limited (Japan). The calibrated dates indicate that the surveyed Altaic sites of ferrous metallurgy functioned in the period from the end of the 5th to the second half of the 6th centuries AD inclusively. The Balyktyule furnaces according to their design and the features of the iron smelting are the earliest and date from the period of the 394–425 AD, it corresponds to the period of the Rouran domination in Central Asia. The early dates of the Balyktyule furnaces testify to the presence of iron production among the local Teles population (the Bulan-Coba archaeological culture) on the territory of the Russian Altai on an ongoing basis at the late stage of the Hun-Sarmatian period preceding the Early Turkic period. Others furnaces reviewed belong to a slightly later time, but their dates are also quite compact within the end of the Hun-Sarmatian time and the beginning of the Early Türkic period. According to the written sources, after the resettlement to the Altai mountains the Turks of Ashin became known as the metallurgists, who paid tribute to the Rourans with metal products. The radiocarbon dates adjust representations about time of occurrence of the iron-making produc-tion in the region on an ongoing basis no later than the turn of the 4th – 5th centuries AD. The radiocarbon dates allow us to put forward a hypothesis that the Turks have become skilled casters in the Altai Mountains, having borrowed the skills of mining and metallurgical production already available from the local Teles population. Thus, the results of our research are important for further study of the history of ferrous metallurgy in the Altai.
Вводятся в научный оборот первые результаты исследований памятников черной металлургии в трех районах Республики Алтай в 2017 г., а также новых радиоуглеродных AMS-дат по образцам древесного угля из объектов. Полученные даты корректируют представление о времени появления в регионе железоделательного производства на постоянной основе и позволяют выдвинуть гипотезу, что тюрки Ашина стали искусными литейщиками  в Алтайских горах, позаимствовав уже имеющиеся у местного телесского населения навыки горнорудного и металлургического производств.
Работа публикуется в рамках научно-исследовательского проекта «Хозяйственная и социальная адаптация  человека к природно-климатическим условиям Алтайских гор во второй половине голоцена» (№ 33.1971.2017/4.6)  проектной части госзадания Министерства образования и науки Российской Федерации.

Establishing the lower limit of the Türkic period in the Altai region and the earliest archaeological monuments characteristic of this period presents a complex task for archaeological research. Radiocarbon dates obtained from Bulan-Koby and Kok-Pash type burials dating to the pre-Türkic period suggest an upper limit of around the middle of the 6th century AD. Around this time, or perhaps a little earlier, in the late 5th – early 6th centuries, square stone enclosures appear in the same region. The greatest difference in the grave goods of these different types of monument is that stirrups are found in stone enclosures, whereas none are recorded in Bulan-Koby type monuments. The next stage in the development of the material culture of the Türkic period from the second half of the 6th century, is marked by the distribution of ornaments made in heraldic style. Likewise, after the middle of the 6th century, Kudyrge type burials appear, which are similar to the Bulan-Koby type monuments inasmuch as the inventory of finds includes both stirrups and artistic heraldic ornaments. We know from Chinese chronicles that some historical events can be extrapolated to archaeological sites. In this case, it is important to mention the resettlement of '500 Ashina families' to the Altai in 460 CE, where they formed the core of the Türkic community. We suggest that the use of stelae at square stone enclosures uncharacteristic of the preceding period are associated with this group. After the formation of the Türkic Khaganate, the practice of erecting enclosures with stelae, and human burials with horses in them became widespread throughout the Eurasian steppe testifying to the significance of the Altai population in the formation of the wider Türkic community.

Константинов Н.А., Соенов В.И. Охота как часть системы природопользования населения Алтая в древности и средневековье // Древности Сибири и Центральной Азии. Сборник научных трудов. Горно-Алтайск: ГАГУ, 2017. № 8(20). С. 3-7. [Электронный ресурс]: 1 электрон. опт. диск (DVD). ISBN 978-5-91425-145-8.

We consider the hunting activities of the ancient and medieval population of Altai as a part of the traditional system of using natural resources. Natural resources of the Altai were favorable for hunting since ancient times. This activity was high in the livelihood of the ancient population in the economic sphere. Hunting also used as military training, to perform certain social functions; different rituals were carried out in the framework of hunt. All process of hunting has been associated with the system of rules and restrictions governing the animal production.

Key words. Altai; archeology; nature management; hunting.

Eleven examples of a special type of jewellery – flat, double spiral, bronze wire earrings have been recorded in monuments dated to the late Hunno-Sarmatian period. This paper analyses the main characteristics of the jewellery in question and their area of distribution. It also focuses on a likely source of origin within the culture of the Altai people. We note that neither prototypes nor analogues have been found at Altai sites dated to the Early Iron Age and Middle Ages. Nor have analogues been found in adjacent regions of South Siberia and Central Asia. Nonetheless, a detailed study of the criteria of discovery and characteristics of the earring type throws light on their date and origin. According to the authors, these artefacts date to the period between the second half of the 3rd century and the 5th century AD, and their origin is related to the appearance in Altai of samples of the Xianby material culture from Northern China via Mongolia during the time of Tobas and Muyun dynasty rule. All earrings in question were found in burials of women. Due to their unique nature, flat, double spiral-shaped earrings are established as a diagnostic attribute of the Altai archaeological culture in the late Hunno-Sarmatian period.

Keywords: Altai, earrings, Hunno-Sarmatian period, Xianby style

Главные источники по изучению охоты алтайцев в I тыс. н.э. – вещественные находки и изобразительные материалы. Их исследование показало, что на сегодня могут реконструироваться только некоторые виды активных форм охоты. Пассивные формы, которые очевидно имели место быть, пока реконструировать из-за отсутствия данных не представляется возможным. Население Алтая практиковало как коллективную, так и индивидуальную охоту. Коллективной была загонная охота и охота гоном. Традиционная для многих центрально-азиатских народов облавная охота для населения алтайских гор была нехарактерна. Несомненно, это было связано с особенностями рельефа и фауны региона. Индивидуальные формы охоты представлены охотой гоном и охотой с собакой. В северных районах Алтая охотничья деятельность населения испытывала влияние таёжных форм охоты, а в южных – степной. Тем не менее, такой вид типичной степной охоты как облава в регионе не имел широкого распространения. Охотничья деятельность являлась важнейшей составной частью системы жизнеобеспечения населения Алтая.

Соенов В.И., Константинов Н.А., Трифанова С.В. Аварийные работы на могильнике Курайка (Южный Алтай) в 2015 году / ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK IN EROSION ZONE OF KURAYKA BURIAL GROUND (SOUTHERN ALTAI) IN 2015 //Археологическое наследие Сибири и Центральной Азии (проблемы  интерпретации и сохранения): материалы международной конференции. Кемерово: Кузбассвузиздат, 2016. С. 82-88.
The paper presents the results of excavations of Kurayka cemetery in 2015. There were excavated four burials that are under the threat of destruction as a result of water erosion. The peculiarities of the burial rite and radiocarbon dating of burials allowed us to date them by the second half of the 3rd – 4th century AD and attribute them to the Kok-Pash type of the Bulan-Koby culture.

Соенов В.И., Константинов Н.А.
БРОНЗОВЫЙ СОСУД-КОВШ ДЛЯ САКРАЛЬНЫХ НАПИТКОВ ИЗ ДОЛИНЫ КАДРИНА (ЦЕНТРАЛЬНЫЙ АЛТАЙ) // ТЕОРИЯ И ПРАКТИКА АРХЕОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ. 2017. № 1(17). С. 62-70. DOI: 10.14258/tpai(2017)1(17).-05

The article introduces into the scientific circulation a unique bronze vessel, accidentally found in the second half of the 1980s in the Kadrin Valley (Ongudai district of the Altai Republic). The finding has a cylindrical body slightly expanding from the bottom to the top which has a tubular spout-plum, two vertically oriented loops and base for horizontal handle. By analogy with the vessel from a closed complex in the Southern Urals the published vessel is attributed to the second half of the 4th century BC and the borderline of the 4th – 3rd centuries BC. The authors believe that the vessel from Kadrin fully corresponds to the type of ritual utensils of the Eurasian mountain-steppe zone populations of Scythian-Saka time in the Seven Rivers. The vessel is considered to have been used by the Pazyryk people of Altai for sacred drinks such as soma/haoma. The Pazyric people used the drinks to fall into the altered states of consciousness and achieve a trance in order to establish communication between the profane and the sacred worlds, and to meet the challenges of artificial stimulation of the body for the purpose of long-term and persistent excitation nerve centers and muscle tissue before the battle and hard work, and perhaps also for anesthesia and increase in sensitivity of the receptors, and in some other special cases. The origin of the Kadrin vessel is not well established; it could be imported or made by the Altai craftsmen by the Seven Rivers sample.

Petroglyphs from the early Middle Ages particularly stand out among monuments of Altai rock art. Petroglyphs dated to this period were executed using the technique of engraving, with great attention being paid to fine details. These petroglyphs are an important source in cultural studies of the Altai population of the second half of the 1st millennium CE. Drawing on historical and archaeological contexts, it is suggested that the battle and hunting scenes depicted in petroglyphs are associated with memorial rites and that such scenes depict the military and hunting exploits of deceased noble warriors. Hence the semantic content of battle and hunting scenes in Turkic rock art of this period can be described as resembling the genres of eulogy and panegyric.

В результате работ 2009 г. на городищах Нижний Чепош-3 и Нижний Чепош-4 были получены материалы, позволяющие охарактеризовать некоторые направления хозяйственной деятельности населения, оставившего эти памятники. На основе архезоологического анализа коллекции, а также изучения изделий и отходов ремесленных производств охарактеризованы производящие (животноводство, керамическое производство и косторезное дело) и присваивающие (охота и рыболовство) направления хозяйственной деятельности.

ADORNMENTS OF ALTAI POPULATION OF HUN-SARMATIAN PERIOD (THE IIND CENTURY BC – THE VTH CENTURY AD)
The authors summarize the results of the study of the different categories of Gorny Altai population’s adornments during the Hun-Sarmatian period (the IInd century BC – the Vth century AD), reveal the gender and age related and social characteristics of adornments complexes, and show that the researches give the opportunity to obtain the new data for the reconstruction in the sphere of the population’s material culture and irrational ideas.

In this paper we made generalization of materials from children's graves at Stepushka-2 cemetery (Altai). Cemetery of Stepushka is belongs to Bulan-Koba culture of Hun-Sarmatian time. In 2010 this monument was fully explored.  The burials are dating within the second half of III – first half of the IV AD. A detailed study of the features of objects and the grave goods allowed found the peculiarity of children's burial rite. In most of the children's graves were single burials. They were located in the central part of the cemetery, and they were surrounded by the graves of adults. The above-ground construction were expressed by stone mounds, or ring-fences along the perimeter The burials were in not too deep pits, and some – in stone boxes, and other facilities inside grave structures were probably made from wood, therefore did not  preserved. Into some burial had been found quite a lot of grave goods (pendant, toileting brush, beads, earrings, etc.), while into others burial were not any things. Among the materials from the children's burials were encountered things not typical of the rest of the graves: armor plate and fragments of hand mill millstones. According to the authors, these two categories of things demonstrate the special attitude of the Altai population in Hun-Sarmatian time to the child mortality. From ancient times, the image of a woman and child has been associated with the continuation of life. For successful reproduction of population were necessary special actions during the burial rite, which contribute to the placement of these two categories of things in children's tombs of the necropolis. This is confirmed by the findings of jewelry, which performing protective functions. On the whole, a series of children's burials demonstrates a special attitude of the Altai population in the Hun-Sarmatian time to the child mortality. According to the authors, for the people who build this cemetery, children's funeral ceremony was not only the meaning of the funeral. Most likely, some rituals were conducted at the burial of the dead children were aimed to the safe reproduction of the new posterity. A small proportion of children buried in the necropolis does not reflect the real level of child mortality of the period. This can be explained by the existence of specific infant and children's funeral rites, which are not determined by archaeological methods (as presently constituted, on the cemetery there was not a single burial of an infant. Currently the imbalance of male and female burials impossible explain reasonable and convincingly, therefore it is necessary to continue research in this area with the assistance of other materials from fully investigated Hun-Sarmatian time cemeteries of the Altai.

Keywords: Altai; funeral rites; children's burial; Hun-Sarmatian time; Bulan-Koba culture; Stepushka-2.

Despite decades of research across multiple disciplines, the early history of horse domestication remains poorly understood. On the basis of current evidence from archaeology, mitochondrial DNA, and Y-chromosomal sequencing, a number of different domestication scenarios have been proposed, ranging from the spread of domestic horses out of a restricted primary area of domestication to the domestication of numerous distinct wild horse populations. In this paper, we reconstruct both the population genetic structure of the extinct wild progenitor of domestic horses, Equus ferus, and the origin and spread of horse domestication in the Eurasian steppes by fitting a spatially explicit stepping-stone model to genotype data from >300 horses sampled across northern Eurasia. We find strong evidence for an expansion of E. ferus out of eastern Eurasia about 160 kya, likely reflecting the colonization of Eurasia by this species. Our best-fitting scenario further suggests that horse domesticati...

В работе публикуются материалы детских погребений некрополя Степушка-2, который располагался на правом берегу реки Урсул в Центральном Алтае. Могильник полностью раскопан археологической экспедицией ГАГУ в 2010 году. Памятник относится к булан-кобинской культуре гунно-сарматского времени. Всего изучено 33 погребения, содержащих костяки людей, из которых восемь – детские. Анализ особенностей объектов и инвентаря позволил выявить специфику элементов детского погребального обряда, отличающегося определенным образом от взрослого. Для древних людей детский обряд, кроме погребального назначения, имел, вероятно, и другой смысл: через совершение обусловленных обрядов при
погребении ребенка члены сообщества пытались оказывать влияние на воспроизводство потомства в дальнейшем, надеясь на благополучное рождение и жизнь нового ребенка взамен умершего.

V.I. Soenov, N.A. Konstantinov, S.V. Trifanova
Gorno-Altaisk State University (Russia)
NECROPOLIS OF STEPUSHKA-2 – THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
OF HUN-SARMATIAN TIME (ALTAI)
In the paper published some results of research materials from Stepushka-2 necrop-olis in the Central Altai. During fieldwork on the cemetery were excavated 64 objects, 37 of them were stone mounds and stone circles with grave. The elements of the funeral rite, appearance of objects and grave goods from graves have attributed to Bulan-Koba culture Hun-Sarmatian time and dated to the second half of III century – the first half of IV century AD. The interesting scientific data have obtained in the process of typological, stylistic, technical and technological, radiocarbon, anthropological, paleozoological, entomological, DNA and other analyzes of finds from burials. The results of investigating will contribute to the solution of many important scientific issues in the history of the population of the Altai in Hun-Sarmatian time.

The Bronze Age of Eurasia (c. 3,000-1,000 years BC) was a period of major cultural changes accompanying the transition from hunting-gathering and farming into early urban civilization. It remains debated how these transitions shaped the distribution of the human populations. To investigate this we used new methodological improvements to sequence low coverage genomes from 101 ancient humans from across Eurasia, covering the entire Bronze Age including the late Neolithic and the Iron Age. We show that around 3,000 BC, Europe and Central Asia receive a major genetic input from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe through people related to the Yamnaya culture, resulting in the formation of the Corded Ware Culture in Europe and the Afanasievo Culture in Central Asia. A thousand years later, migrations from Europe into Central Asia, gives rise to the Sintashta and Andronovo Cultures. During later Bronze Age, the European-derived populations in Asia are gradually replaced by multi-ethnic cultures.

In Southern Siberia whole range of archaeological cultures Hunno-Sarmatian time (first half of the 1st Millenium AD) contains a specific category of inventory as small toiletries brushes. The tools were applied in cosmetic and hygienic purposes for coloring individual and body care. These products were distributed in Southern Siberia in the period of the first century AD – the fifth century AD. Brush out of use in the Turkic time and reappeared in Central Asia and Southern Siberia in the pre-Mongol time in a different design.

This paper presents the results of a study of fortified settlements of the fırst half of the 1st  millennium AD in Altai. It established that all the settlements of this period are located in the  northern part of the region. In total there are seven fortified set­tlements. The article  describes their topographical location and aspects of their loca­tion. At two of the sites limited  excavations were made of part of the fortifications. At both of these the work established the  existence of two rows of ramparts and ditches associated with deeper shafts constructed using clay,  earth and wood, and  a clay matrix. The fortifications share characteristics indicating that local  building  tradi­tions were followed in their construction. At one site the excavation of a shaft  revcalcd the ritual burial of a sheep. The other settlements were examined by means of test pits.  Sherds of pottery were found at all the settlements, along with fragments of animal bones and bone  artifacts. The cumulative evidence suggests that most if not all of these fortifecations were  built in a short period of time in a tense military and political situation.

The paper considers the social significance of the repatriation of the «Altai/Ukok Princess» (in comparison with similar cases in the United States and Australia: the Kennewick Man, the Lake Mungo Burials) and carried out an analysis of archaeological practice in modern Russia through applying a comparative multi-actor approach. This paper builds on anthropological insights and understanding pluralistic social phenomena such as cultural heritage demands a comprehensive examination of the entire social space in which interactions and events occurred. As a theoretical framework we chose the structural constructivist approach of Pierre Bourdieu.
В работе рассмотрено социальное значение репатриации «Алтайской/Укокской принцессы» (в сравнении с аналогичными случаями в США и Австралии: Кенневикский человек, погребения озера Мунго) и осуществлен анализ археологической практики в современной России путем применения сравнительного мульти-акторного подхода. Статья основывается на антропологических идеях и плюралистическом понимании культурного наследия, как социального явления, требующего всестороннего изучения всего социального пространства, в котором произошли взаимодействия и события. Теоретической основой работы стал структурный конструктивистский подход в трактовке Пьера Бурдьё.

The Stepushka-2 necropolis located in the Ursul valley in Central Altai. It was discovered in the spring of 2010 by archaeological expedition of LLC “Heritage of Siberia” led by Mamadakov Y.T. when exploration of road construction, on the area, which linking up with the "Chuiskiy trakt" at the 651 km. The cemetery was excavated by the Gorno-Altaisk State University expedition led by Soenov V.I. in August-September of the same year. There are were excavated 65 objects on cemetery of which 38 contained burials. This cemetery belongs among the Bulan-Koba archaeological culture of Hun-Sarmatian time of the Altai. We had dated it from the 4th century to the first half of the 5th century AD on the elements of funeral rite, burial items and radiocarbon dates. The lines of burials from north-west to the south-east were the planigrafical basis of cemetery, other burials were formed around them. The burials were arranged in shallow grave pits, then a small stone or rocky earthen embankment was built above them. In the grave pits were installed stone boxes or wooden structures (judging by the fragments of wood fixed in a number of objects). There is side-chamber were in two grave pits, in which the deceased persons were placed. The buried ones lay in graves, as a rule in an extended state on their backs. Most of the burials were single. Several male burials are accompanied by a riding horse. In one grave there is a burial of two people – a woman and a child. In most of the graves there were found male burials. Some of the male skeletons had traces of trauma, almost all of which were deadly. It is obvious that the men of the Stepushka area took part in the military operations of that period. Also, the materials of the excavated burial ground show a rather high level of infant mortality typical for most ancient societies. The most numerous categories of accompanying equipment found during the excavations in this cemetery are represented by decorations, armament and equipment of the horse. The grave goods of the cemetery in general are typical for the Bulan-Coba culture of the Altai of the Hunno-Sarmatian time, as well as for synchronous seats of adjacent regions. Grave goods of Stepushka-2 represented by bone plates of composite Hun-type bows, iron three-lobed arrowheads, the bone arrowheads with two barbs and tangs, the iron combat knives (he single-blade daggers), bronze semispherical plaques, bronze earrings, bronze earrings with double spiral-shaped, iron details of type-setting belts, iron horse bits etc. The Stepushka-2 is one of the basic Altai sites of the second quarter of the I millennium AD due to the complete excavations of the cemetery and the adjacent territory by a total uncovering. The ongoing laboratory and cabinet studies of the materials will complement and refine our understanding of the role and position of the Stepushka-2 cemetery in a circle of antiquities of the Hunno-Sarmatian time of Southern Siberia and Central Asia.

Настоящее издание представляет свод археологических памятников и объектов Чемальского района, датируемых с эпохи позднего палеолита до позднего средневековья. Сбор материалов к своду был начат в 1980 г., но большая часть из них в научный обо-рот вводится впервые. Свод подготовлен в рамках научно-исследовательских работ по проектам: «Комплексные исследования материальной культуры и этнической истории населения Евразии в голоцене» программы СО РАН «Северная Азия в эпоху палеометалла: этногенез и культурогенез»; «Эпоха бронзы и ранний железный век Саяно-Алтая. Хронология и культурная принадлежность погребальных и поселенческих комплексов» программы фундаментальных исследований Президиума РАН «Историко-культурное наследие и духовные ценности России»; №06-01-61110а/Т «Горный Алтай в период ранней бронзы» Российского гуманитарного научного фонда (2006-2007 гг.); №2.1.3/6768 «Древняя и средневековая фортификация Алтая» аналитической ведомственной целевой программы "Развитие научного потенциала высшей школы (2009-2010 годы)".
Книга рассчитана на археологов, историков, краеведов, преподавателей и студентов вузов, учителей средних школ, сотрудников государственных учреждений и муниципальных образований, а также на всех интересующихся древностями Горного Алтая.

Soyonov V.I., Trifanova S.V., Konstantinov N.A., Shtanakova E.A., Soyonov D.V. The Cheposhsky sites of ancient settlement. Gorno-Altaisk: GASU, 2011. 228 p.
The long years of archaeological researches have shown that in Siberia everywhere, ex-cept for a tundra zone, have been various fortified settlements since ancient times.
In territory of Altai Mountain it was found seven sites of ancient settlement (Jalomansky, Nizhniy Cheposh-3, Nizhniy Cheposh-4, Manzheroksky, Barangolsky, Cheremshansky, Emurlinsky). Only one sites of ancient settlement of them (Jalomansky) is in the central part of Altai, other objects are localised in northern part of region, on a site of a valley of Katun in the extent less than 40 km.
In our opinion, the first data on sites of ancient settlement Nizhniy Cheposh-3 and Nizh-niy Cheposh-4 are known from the end of XIX-th century end when the priest of the Altay spiritual mission Peter Benediktov has made the short description of monuments of Chemalsky branch. The Cheposhsky sites of ancient settlement as archeological object were opened in 1986-1987 P.I. Shulga. Field studying of these monuments with opening of sites of an occupation layer was carried out by expeditions under the leadership of P.I. Shulga, A.A. Tishkin, V.I. Soyonov.
In 2009 for the identification of the fortifications on the sites of ancient settlement of both of us were laid trenches crossing ramparts and moats. During works on a site of ancient settlement Nizhniy Cheposh-3 we found parts of the fortifications in the form of three moats and dense  clayey earthy rampart representing the remains of the wall. Possibly, the fortress wall was in the form of two-row frame-and-pillar or carcass construction, the space between them was filled with a clay mortar. Under rampart there were two small pit in which was pil-lars and and two deep pits filled with clay concrete. Perhaps, they were the pit of the founda-tions of the tower, located at the end of the fortress wall at the edge of the terrace. On the site of the Nizhniy Cheposh-4 we found two ramparts and two moats of clay. Under external ram-part  also is fixed the deep pit filled with burnt clay . Perhaps, the it was one of the pits of the foundation of the tower, located at the end of the wall or pillar pit frame-pole-protective structures on the crest of the shaft.
Summing up topographic and plan features of ancient settlements of the Nizhniy Cheposh-3 and Nizhniy Cheposh-4, as well as the technical specifics of their fortifications can be noted the following unique features: the location on the banks of tributary of the Katun River, near the exit site of the river from the gorge into the valley;  location at the edge of the high and wide terraces; irregularly oval form of ancient settlements in the plan; bending in-ward line of fortifications in the city of Nizhniy Cheposh-3; the existence of a double line of fortifications in the city of Nizhniy Cheposh-4 - the main line and «citadel»; the existence of a strengthening in the form of a system consisting of several ramparts and moats; the presence of the most powerful fortifications in the north-eastern side; escarpmenting slopes of the ter-race to the north-west side of  of settlements; the presence of residues of wood-earthen and earthen fortifications; the use of mortars in the construction of fortifications.
When carrying out works on the Nizhniy Cheposh-3 and Nizhniy Cheposh-4 we have found artifacts, bones of animals and fishes, allowing to examine some aspects of life of the population and also to determine the chronological and cultural belonging objects. Equipment found in the cultural layer of the settlement, is made of ceramic, bone, horn and stone. Things are divided into several groups according to their functional purpose: the weapons, household implements and the personal toiletry, the personal ornaments and equipment for worship, in-struments of labour, pottery. The large part of the material discovered in the Nizhniy Cheposh-3 and Nizhniy Cheposh-4 has not a narrow chronological peg.  Dating artifacts are a horn detail of composite bow, fragment of cosmetic brushes and fragments of pottery.
The ceramic complex from the Nizhny Cheposh-3 very uniform, from the main complex differs very small amount of pottery fragments from . Forms of vessels are presented mainly flat-bottomed pots and low cups with rather poor ornamentation. Analogies to this ceramic complex are located in dishes of Maiminsky archeological culture of hunno-sarmatian time. Judging by the characteristics of ceramics the studied ancient settlements, the production of dishes in the population of Northern Altai in the first half I thousand AD was  home character.
Analysis of archaeological materials obtained from the sites of the Nizhniy Cheposh-3 and Nizhniy Cheposh-4 also allows to reconstruct some of the elements of the system of life support of the population. Judging by the osteological data indicate, then population of  the city bred sheep, horses, cattle. Meat consumption was based on the exploitation of horses and small cattle.
Hunting was an important help in securing the population of the necessary food and raw materials for the production of material values. In addition, on hunting perfected various mili-tary skills. Remains of fish fauna in the cultural layer of ancient settlements indicate occupa-tion of the population in fishing. Objects of catch were the large species of fish, that were caught, probably, by specific tools in the process of individual gear. Fishery, probably, was only an auxiliary branch, though sufficiently developed and technically equipped.
Findings of products from bone and antler, as well as waste bone carving works testify the high level of the craft from the population of the settlements. The composition of the ob-jects of bone carving is an additional confirmation of the proposed us dating of the monument hunno-sarmatian time, because the products have an analogy in the samples and the equipment for simultaneous monuments of the region and adjacent territories.
Thus, consideration of fortification features of ancient settlements of the Nizhniy Cheposh-3 and Nizhniy Cheposh-4, as well as the material allows you to include these mon-uments to maiminsky culture of Altai of hunno-sarmatian time and to date them in the end of the I millennium B.C. - the first centuries of the I millennium B.C. Dating Nizhnecheposhskiy settlements of hunno-sarmatian time confirms a series of radiocarbon (14C) dates received on the analysis of samples of soil and charcoal. Taking into account the scatter dates in calibrat-ing, we may assume the existence of fortified settlements in the broader framework of the I century B.C. - the III centuries B.C.
Our research allowed noted that during the I millennium B.C. - I thousand B.C. fortified settlements of the Altai and its foothills, except for the Jalomansky settlement, saved the South-Siberian tradition of the construction of buildings and fortifications, which had signifi-cant differences from Сentral Asia. The influence of other fortification tradition can be traced in hunno-sarmatian time in changes topographic placement of settlements and construction techniques. In the I century B.C. - V century B.C. in the Altai and the foothills of the increas-ing number of fortifications on the sites of, but the main features of South-Siberian building tradition continues to exist in the forms of plan fortifications, wooden or wood-earthen archi-tecture fortifications, etc.
None of the fortification can not compete with the protective properties of the area, which includes the mountains, or high hills, so the population of the Altai mountains in ancient times and the middle ages was not customary creation of fortified settlements. The tradition of the construction of settlements came here in hunno-sarmatian time with the population of the plains part of the Lower Katun, Biya and the Upper Ob, and in the foothills of the forti-fied settlements existed there from the early scythian time. According to our observations, the fortifications of the settlements of the Northern Altai, including on the sites of Nizhniy Che-posh-3 and Nizhniy Cheposh-4, appeared and functioned a short period of time in huns-sarmatiense period, obviously, in conditions of a complex military-political situation, which will be find out.

Owing to the archaeological sources, researchers have ac-cumulated a considerable amount of information on directions of handicraft activities of population of the Altai. There are great progress in the study of ancient and early medieval woodworking, production of pottery, bone carving of the case. In recent years there has been progress in the study of metal-working. In consideration of textile manufacture, stone dress-ing and ore mining success so far modest. There are very few scholarly works on jewelry, and leather industry specially prac-tically has not been studied.
The history of the study of Russian researchers handicraft of the Altai population was roughly divided by us into three stages: 1) the second half of XIX – the second third of the XX century, 2) the last third of the XX century, 3) the beginning of the XXI century. They reflect the methods applied research, the degree of intensity of the collecting materials, comprehension and generalization of obtained data.
Summing up the main provisions contained in the chap-ters of this work, it is necessary to note the following points. In the study of woodworking important results were obtained in the course of determining the anatomical accessories of wood from archaeological sites. Insufficiently studied woodworking toolkit. Basic research on woodworking related to materials from the graves of Pazyryk culture. However, in recent years there has been interest in woodworking of the Altai population of Hunno-Sarmatian time. Processing of bone in the antiquity and medieval times, despite the extensive source base, a not yet fully study. Although it should be noted positive dynamics: currently have appeared special works on the subject. Traced the need large-scale attract settlement materials for a complete reconstruction of the technological process of bone carving production. With the advent of new natural science methods of research in recent years there has been accumulation of data on ancient and medieval metalworking. The use of modern meth-ods of research had a positive impact and on the study of textile manufacture of certain archaeological cultures. Currently, researchers examined many issues of ceramic production – composition of the ceramic dough, features of throwing, ornamentation and vessels firing also the organiza-tion of the process.
Craft remain under-researched area in the historical sci-ence, despite its enormous political, social, economic and cultural significance in world social development. Are no exception and the degree of scrutiny of handicraft industries of the population of the Altai. Therefore before modern researchers there is a huge task on complex analysis of the sources and reconstruction of various aspects of the handicraft production, as well as to assess the overall level of development of handicrafts in different historical periods, as one of the most important elements of life-support systems of the ancient and medieval population.

Учебное пособие содержит основные этапы истории Алтая с древнейших времен до V в. н.э. в хронологической последовательности. На базе археологических данных и материалов рассматривается жизнедеятельность алтайских обществ в каменном (палеолите, мезолите, неолите), бронзовом и железном веках.
Настоящее издание рассчитано на студентов и аспирантов. Может использоваться преподавателями и школьниками, а также всеми, кто интересуется древней историей Алтая.

During the modern geological period Altai is one of the highest mountain areas of Southern Siberia.
For region are characteristic almost impassable high-mountainous, middle-mountainous, low-mountainous the reliefs dismembered by valleys of the rivers and intermountain hollows. Natural fortification potential Mountain Altai didn't demand to erect artificial defensive works. Nevertheless, in dif-ferent places of Mountain Altai variety field stone fortification constructions shebee are fixed.
The remainders of the stone fortification constructions and fortresses of Altai were little studied archaeological mon-uments. It is connected with several factors: technical problems and global questions of theories of social development of man-kind. The certain information on them gradually collected in archives and the literature. History of initial data gathering and studying of stone shebee Mountain Altai we have conditionally divided on four stages, reflect researches methods, degree of intensity of gathering of a material and judgement of the data: the military (the middle XVIII – the middle of XIX century), legendary (second half XIX century – middle ХХ century), re-search (second half ХХ century) and modern (from the begin-ning of XXI century).
Characteristic feature of topography field stone fortifica-tion shebee of Altai that they are on traditional paths of com-munications. Studied fortifications shebee are in places of nar-rowing of river valleys (Bichiktu-Kaia, Shibe, Ujttu-Kaia, Buluhtu-Kooby), on passes along coast of Teletsky lake (Toolok, Artal) and on high-mountainous pass at mountain top (Kuree-Tash). Despite seeming simplicity of linear walls and stone fortresses they played an important role in military sci-ence.
Other surveyed by us and our colleagues stone construc-tions: Bolshie Shibety I-IV in valleys Bolshie Shibety and Ak-Saj; Tyttu I-IV between the rivers the Cook-Ozek and Sebistej; Sankovo pole on Katun, near village  Kujus; Tash-Byok near village Bolshoi Jaloman; Ongudai-I between villages Ongudai and Shashikman; Katu-Djaryk, Kandru, Tura-Kaia in gorge Cholushman etc., and also other mountain stone constructions have weak fortification possibilities and can't be defensive structures.
The general for all stone fortification constructions of Al-tai is that they are combined from plates, fragmentary stones and boulders without a binding solution. Principal view Altay shebee were the strengthened lines of two types.
In our opinion, Altay stone shebee are dated XVII-XVIII centuries. They as defensive structures are reflected in the Altay legends and legends which connect shebee with historical events. Such dating shebee is confirmed Russian archival doc-uments about functioning of the strengthenings, and design fea-tures of constructions.
The reason of occurrence of stone defensive walls on Al-tai, probably, speaks about distribution in Siberia and the Cen-tral Asia of fire-arms and influence of tradition of building stone fortification constructions Dzungar’s. Altai was a part of the Dzungar during the specified period.
The fire-arms qualitatively differed from the usual weapon applied till the end of the Middle Ages in the Central Asia.
Stone fortification constructions in sedate Dzungaria, probably, were a variant of effective protection against fire-arms in XVII-XVIII-th century.
As in Mountain Altai wooden strengthenings well coped with defensive problems, building stone fortification construc-tions wasn't necessary. Possibly, by a principal cause of occur-rence of stone defensive shebee in Mountain Altai it is connect-ed with influence Dzungar’s defensive tactics.
Stone shebee Altai were fortification a construction com-bining a barrier, protection and a position.
Results of our researches have confirmed perspectivity of works on revealing and studying of stone fortification construc-tions in Mountain Altai. It is necessary to continue check of given written sources of XVII-XIX centuries; to continue stud-ying laws of location and design features of constructions; to make excavation of some perspective sites for the final decision of a problem of chronological and historical interpretation field stone fortification constructions shebee Altai.

Монография посвящена изучению охотничьей деятельности населения Алтая в I тыс. н.э. по археологическим и изобразительным источникам. В ней охарактеризованы формы, приемы и техника охоты, а также произведена оценка роли охотничьей деятельности в системе жизнеобеспечения населения гунно-сарматского и тюркского времени.
Издание рассчитано на археологов, историков, этнографов, охотоведов и всех интересующихся историей Алтая.

Работа подготовлена в рамках научно-исследовательских проектов госзадания Минобрнауки РФ «Системы природопользования и производственные технологии древних и традиционных обществ Горного Алтая» (код 536) и РГНФ – Минобрнауки Республики Алтай «Культурно-исторические процессы на Алтае в конце I тыс. до н.э. – середине I тыс. н.э.», № 14-11-04002а(р).

The monograph is the first experience summarizing research on the ancient fortified settlements of Altai. Such archaeological sites are now known in the northern and central parts of the region. Up to the present time, excavation work was carried out on two sites – Nizhny Cheposh-3 and Nizhny Cheposh-4. On the other fortified settlements (Cheremshanka, Manzherok, Barangol, Emurla and Yaloman) made only test pits and trimming in the field of destruction of the cultural layer. During the work on the monuments found the remains of various categories of archaeological findings: items of weapons, ornaments and cult items, household items, tools, fragments of ceramic vessels. A detailed study of the location of the fortified settlements of Altai indicates that for the northern sites characterized similar landscape and topographical parameters. All the objects are located on the edge of the high terraces in release place of tributaries of Katun river from gorges. Only the localization conditions Yaloman fortified settlement in the central part of the region testifies to another tradition of placing fortified settlements. It is located in a different geographic area and the Yaloman site is a promontory fortified settlement and located at the mouth of the tributary of the Katun. The study of landscape and topographical location of the settlements and specifics of their fortifications as well as the analysis of the results of the archaeological inventory allowed the authors to date objects second or third century AD. The paper also contains overview of the experience of all researchers studying the remnants of the ancient fortified settlements of Altai from the end of the nineteenth century. History of the study of the fortified settlements was divided into three stages, reflecting the accumulation and interpretation of information on the settlements. In addition, the monograph compares characteristics Altai settlements with monuments of the northern foothills for rationale of their historical and cultural identity. Fortified settlements in the Northern Altai attributed to the monuments of the Maima archaeological culture. Its population occupied the territory of the middle reaches of the Biya and the interfluve of Katun and Biya in the first half of the 1st Millenium AD. The tradition of building fortified settlements has been brought to the north of Altai Mountains by population of this archaeological culture from the foothills and the Western Siberian forest steppe. Cultural and chronological affiliation the Yaloman fortified settlement before excavation is not possible to determine exactly. In our opinion, it was built not on Siberian technology but by the other construction technology, which has some similarities to the ancient and medieval sites of Central Asia.

Сборник научных трудов содержит результаты археологических и этнографических исследований в Южной Сибири и Центральной Азии, а также материалы, посвященные памяти первого профессионального алтайского археолога, кандидата исторических наук, старшего научного сотрудника Александра Сазоновича Суразакова (10.12.1948 – 28.08.2018). Подготовлен и издан Научно-исследовательским центром истории и культуры тюркских народов Горно-Алтайского государственного университета в рамках научно-исследовательского проекта «Хозяйственная и социальная адаптация человека к природно-климатическим условиям Алтайских гор во второй половине голоцена» (№ 33.1971.2017/4.6) проектной части госзадания Минобрнауки РФ. Издание рассчитано преимущественно на специалистов. Может использоваться аспирантами и студентами исторических факультетов вузов, а также преподавателями, школьникам и всеми, кто интересуется древностями.

Древности Сибири и Центральной Азии [Электронный ресурс] : сборник научных трудов / отв. ред. В.И. Соенов. – № 8(20). – Элек-трон. текст дан. (22,495 Мб). – Горно-Алтайск: ГАГУ, 2017. – 1 элек-трон. опт. диск (СD-R). – Систем. требования: PC, Intel 1 ГГц; 512 Мб опер. памяти; 30 Мб свобод. диск. пространства; CD/DVD-привод; ОС Windows 7 и выше, ПО для чтения pdf-файлов. – Загл. с титул. эк-рана. – ISBN 978-5-91425-145-8.

Редколлегия сборника:
В.И. Соенов, к.и.н., доцент (ответственный редактор);
С.В. Трифанова, к.и.н.; Н.А. Константинов, к.и.н.

Аннотация. Сборник научных трудов содержит результаты археологических исследований памятников горно-степной части Евразии от восточноевропейских степей до Алтае-Саян. Подготовлен и издан Научно-исследовательским центром истории и культуры тюркских народов Горно-Алтайского государственного университета в рамках научно-исследовательского проекта «Хозяйственная и социальная адаптация человека к природно-климатическим условиям Алтайских гор во второй половине голоцена» (№ 33.1971.2017/4.6) проектной части госзадания Министерства образования и науки Российской Федерации. Издание рассчитано преимущественно на специалистов. Может использоваться аспирантами и студентами исторических факультетов вузов, а также преподавателями, школьникам и всеми, кто интересуется древностями.

Издание посвящено 50-летнему юбилею кандидата исторических наук, доцента, главного научного сотрудника, руководителя Научно-исследовательского центра истории и культуры тюркских народов Горно-Алтайского государственного  университета Соенова Василия Ивановича.
Сборник научных трудов подготовлен НИЦ ИКТН ГАГУ в рамках научно-исследовательских проектов РГНФ – Минобрнауки Республики Алтай «Культурно-исторические процессы на Алтае в конце I тыс. до н.э. – середине I тыс. н.э.», № 14-11-04002а(р); «Алтайский традиционный костюм в исторической ретроспективе», № 14-11-04003а(р) и госзадания Минобрнауки Российской Федерации «Системы природопользования и производственные технологии древних и традиционных обществ Горного Алтая» (код проекта 536).

Сборник материалов международной научной конференции «МЕЖКУЛЬТУРНЫЙ ДИАЛОГ НА ЕВРАЗИЙСКОМ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕ. Горно-Алтайск. 22-25 октября 2013 г.» подготовлен Научно-исследовательским центром истории и культуры тюркских народов Горно-Алтайского государственного университета в рамках гранта Российского гуманитарного научного фонда и Минобрнауки Республики Алтай «Межкультурный диалог на евразийском пространстве» № 13-11-04502г(р). Руководитель проекта – ректор ГАГУ, к.и.н., доцент В.Г. Бабин.
Программа конференции разработана в рамках гранта Российского гуманитарного научного фонда «История Сибири. Т.1: Сибирь в древности и средневековье» № 11-01-00258. Руководитель проекта – директор ИАЭТ СО РАН, академик А.П. Деревянко.

Сборник подготовлен Научно-исследовательским центром истории и культуры тюркских народов Горно-Алтайского государственного университета в рамках реализации проекта госзадания Министерства образования и науки Российской Федерации «Реконструкция систем жизнеобеспечения древних и традиционных обществ Горного Алтая», №6.3494.2011, а также проектов Российского гуманитарного научного фонда «Свод памятников афанасьевской культуры Горного Алтая, Верхнего и Среднего Енисея: подготовка к изданию», №11-01-00191а, «Исследование археологических памятников маргинальной горно-таежной зоны Северного Алтая», №13-11-04601е(р).

Сборник подготовлен Научно-исследовательской лабораторией по изучению древностей Сибири и Центральной Азии Горно-Алтайского государственного университета в рамках реализации проекта «Реконструкция систем жизнеобеспечения древних и традиционных обществ Горного Алтая» (№6.3494.2011) госзадания Министерства образования и науки Российской Федерации и проекта «Свод памятников афанасьевской культуры Горного Алтая, Верхнего и Среднего Енисея: подготовка к изданию» (№11-01-00191а) Российского гуманитарного научного фонда.

Сборник научных трудов подготовлен Научно-исследовательской лабораторией по изучению древностей Сибири и Центральной Азии ГОУ ВПО ГАГУ в рамках реализации проекта «Древняя и средневековая фортификация Алтая» (№2.1.3/6768) Аналитической ведомственной целевой программы Министерства образования и науки Российской Федерации "Развитие научного потенциала высшей школы (2009-2010 годы)" и проекта «Хронология и этнокультурная принадлежность археологических памятников Чуйской котловины» Научно-технической программы Правительства Республики Алтай.

Сборник научных трудов подготовлен Научно-исследовательской лабораторией по изучению древностей Сибири и Центральной Азии ГОУ ВПО ГАГУ в рамках реализации научно-исследовательских проектов Министерства образования и науки Российской Федерации «Древняя и средневековая фортификация Алтая» аналитической ведомственной целевой программы "Развитие научного потенциала высшей школы (2009-2010 годы)" (№2.1.3/6768) и РГНФ «Древние и средневековые археологические комплексы Чуйской котловины» (№08-01-61103а/Т).