Current work site: Altay Kray; Tyva Republic
Head of expedition: Konstantin Chugunov
The Expedition conducts excavations in Altay Kray and the Tyva Republic, Russian Federation. The systematic studies of major funerary complexes were undertaken to investigate the funeral rite of elite burials existing among early steppe nomads of East Eurasia and reconstruct the genesis of the Scythian nomadic culture.
The Bugry Gravesite in Rubtsovsky District, Altay Kray, has been under study since 2007. The excavations started jointly with the Altay State University, which launched an expedition (headed by A.A. Tishkin) to investigate Kurgan 4. The South Siberian Expedition is working on Kurgan 1, one of the largest structures on the gravesite (moat diameter 115 m). Most of the mound composed of soil layers of different types has been excavated; parts of the moat have been studied (depth 2.5 m); two side graves with remnants of rich burials have been uncovered. The graves have been robbed several times: in antiquity, immediately following the burial, and by mound-diggers in the 18th c. However, remnants of complex funerary chambers built of wood and large stones survived and their structure could be fully traced. The backfill was found to contain remnants of gold decorations for burial clothes, footwear trimmings made of silver and stone beads, and fragments of iron weapons. A sumptuous silver plaque representing griffins, horn beadwork depicting the head of an imaginary beast and a fragment of a Chinese lacquered cup were retrieved. One special find is a number of carved wooden figurines of warriors with inserted arms (possibly, part of some attribute which had not survived). All finds obtained from the Bugry Gravesite are transferred to the State Hermitage Museum following recording, analysis and restoration procedures.
The study of the Chinge-Tey I funerary complex in Piy-Khem District, Tyva Republic, continues the work of the Expedition in the Valley of Kings after the sensational excavations on the Arzhan 2 Kurgan. The study of another “royal monument” was undertaken to establish the development pattern of Central Asian nomadic culture and identify its links with cultures in the surrounding areas as well as more remote territories. At present, excavations are concentrated on the periphery of the mound where 6 warrior burials have been uncovered, providing a vast collection of weapons, wooden dishes and sword belt decorations in the “animal” style. The excavations have retrieved so-called deer stones and a fragmented stela depicting deer. The finds were handed over to the State Hermitage Museum for recording, analysis and restoration.
Contsact details:
E-mail: chugunovk@mail.ru
