THE SEIMA-TURBINO PHENOMENON INFLUENCE ON TECHNOLOGIES OF BRONZE-CASTING PRODUCTION OF THE BRONZE AGE SIBERIA POPULATION

Abstract

On the materials of the Odinovskaya and the Krotovskaya cultures the article considers the influence of the Seima-Turbino innovations on bronze casting production of the Western Siberia forest-steppe regions population. The finds of the Seima-Turbino artifacts were recorded in the Odinovskaya culture burials of the Tartas-1, Preobrazhenka-6, Markovo-2 sites and such Krotovskaya culture sites as Chernoozerie-VI, Vengerovo-2, Abramovo-10, Sopka-2/4B, V, Rostovka. The basis of the Seima-Turbino casting set is made up of crucibles and molds. The Odinovskaya and Krotovskaya cultures masters used two main types of crucibles. The first one is composite, a clay rim fixed on a fragment of ceramics, forming an oval or drop-shaped container. The second is a thick-walled flatbottomed drop-shaped cup made from a single lump of clay. A stable correlation of the first type crucibles with forms and products made in the Seima-Turbino style was revealed. Distribution of composite crucibles occurred as part of the Seima-Turbino goods complex to the north into the habitat of the Samuskaya culture tradition bearers, and to the west — in Pritobolye and Trans-Urals. A special role in ancient production is played by the methods of making molds for thin-walled hollow casting. Common features characteristic of the entire Seima-Turbino tradition were identified. The main production technique is the molding according to a model on a molding plate, with the overlap of molding masses from above with large lumps. The main configuration of the working chamber was formed by the print of a specially manufactured model, the connector — by the flat area of the model slab. The appearance of the foundry form with a semicircular back becomes the standard of the Seima-Turbino style, as a result of which it was given even to stone specimens. The period of developed Bronze Age in Western Siberia is characterized by significant changes caused by the Andronovskaya culture influence. Srubno-Andronovskaya metalworking tradition combines casting and shaping forging. Forms with a horizontal arrangement of working chambers are widely used. Previously, two types of the Andronovskaya culture melting tanks were distinguished, and a third was proposed: 1 — small vessel on a pallet, 2 — round-bottomed cup with side vertical handle, 3 — round thick-walled vessel. The second type of crucible was recorded among the carriers of the Andronovskaya (Fedorovskaya) culture of the Ob-Irtysh forest-steppe. As a result of the Andronovskaya culture expansion in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia, the syncretic metalworking was formed — the Late Krotovskaya (Chernoozerskaya) tradition, which combined the techniques of smelting of newcomers and a formal mold of this territory.