Functional and Technological Analysis of Artifacts from the “Foundryman’s Burial” of the Sopka-2 Burial Ground

Abstract

Purpose . The article is devoted to the use-ware study of the accompanying inventory from the unique “foundryman’s burial” burial no. 282 of the Sopka-2 burial ground. A significant tools collection was found in the burial, including crucibles and molds intended for the manufacturing Seima-Turbino celts, as well as bronze Seima-Turbino celt. Three types of artefacts were distinguished: made of stone, organic materials (bone and horn) and ceramic. As a result of the use-ware analysis, the nature of the use of tools and their purpose have been determined. Most of the collection items had already been used as tools (molds, chisels, abrasives, spatulas, bow linings) before they were put in the “foundryman’s grave”. However, some of the artifacts were unfinished or not used (casting funnel, blanks for them, arrowheads). It should also be noted that there are broken and unusable artefacts in the collection.