Comprehensive analysis of early Medieval plated belts from the Chumysh-perekat burial site (Upper Ob region)

A significant number of scientific papers are devoted to the study of plated belts. Such studies address various aspects. The main issues are classification and typology, chronology and cultural affiliation of complexes. Studies of the composition of the metal elements of belt sets from the monuments of the early Middle Ages of the Upper Ob are just beginning. The purpose of the article is a comprehensive analysis of two metal plated belts found in burials of the 7th - 8th centuries AD cemetery Chumysh-Perekat (Zalesovsky district of the Altai Region). To determine the chemical composition of the alloys of the detected products, we used an innov-x systems alpha series™ X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (Alpha 2000 model, manufactured in the USA) complete with a test bench and a hand-held portable computer. The fragments of a belts, as well as single elements of a non-ferrous metal waistband, were found at the Chumysh-Perekat burial site not only in men's, but also in women's and even children's burials. In total, the collection has 78 items, including seven buckles, three belt tips, 60 badges of various types, including pseudo-harnesses. For analysis were used two elements of waist sets preserved in situ in two burials. The Belt-1 from a grave № 23 is represented by a fragment of a leather belt on which eight identical horizontally symmetrical plates were fastened. All products have the same sub-square eight-shape and are located under the back near the waist of the deceased person. Judging by the obtained definitions, all the plated-overlays of the belt are cast from a similar and peculiar copper-silver-tin-zinc alloy, which suggests their simultaneous manufacture. The Belt-2 from a grave № 28 is represented by 23 metal objects: buckles, belt tips, pseudo-harnesses, plates of various shapes. The main alloy for the manufacture of the belt elements set was lead brass (Cu-Zn-Pb) - a copper-zinc alloy in which an alloying element such as lead was added. This conclusion indicates that the investigated products were manufactured and formed in one workshop where the corresponding technology was worked out. The alloys revealed were used for the manufacture of plates of two belts significantly differ from each other in the composition and quantitative content of the fixed metals. The results show a relatively unificate picture within each set of products and excellent between objects of different belt sets. This case indicates the different origin of the overseen headsets. Further studies of a fairly significant number of nonferrous metal products found in early medieval monuments of the Forest-Steppe and Mountain Altai will allow us to outline certain patterns.

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