Evidence of the coexistence of the population of the Odino and Krotovo cultures (based on materials from the Baraba forest-steppe)

The early-developed of Bronze Age in the Baraba forest-steppe is associated with the development of Odino and Krotovo archaeological cultures. The traditional concept of the cultural and historical development of this region supposes the consistent autochthonous formation of the Odino, and then the Krotovo archaeological cultures. However, the large series of radiocarbon dates obtained in recent years indicate their coexistence in the 3rd millennium BC. This hypothesis is also indicated by the finds of bronze items of the Seima-Turbino type in the burial complexes of both cultures. As a result of the study of the formation origins of these cultures, V.I. Molodin proposed a hypothesis about two lines of cultural development in the Ob-Irtysh forest-steppe. The first line is the sites with ceramics of the comb-and-pit ornamental tradition. This tradition influenced the formation of Odino culture. The second line is connected with the sites of the Ust-Tartas culture of the Early Metal Age. This population may have served as the basis for the formation of the Krotovo culture. At the same time, it is very important that both traditions are autochthonous in the region. The area of populations of Odino and Krotovo cultures coincides in the forest-steppe zone. What is the evidence of their coexistence in archaeological material? One of the contact options is insicated by the appearance of a ceramic complexes with mixed features. One group of ceramics at the Markovo-2 settlement of the Odino culture was decorated with a raised border, which is a characteristic feature in the ornamentation of Krotovo ceramics. We also noted the combination of Odino and Krotovo ornamentation traditions of ceramic vessels during the study of the Karyer Tai-1settlement. The foundry complex of the early-developed Bronze Age was studied there. Another variant of interaction was noted at the Vengerovo-2settlement of the Krotovo culture. The fact of joint deposit of Odino and Krotovo dishes in the same dwelling was studied. We also noted that the Krotovo population adopted the tradition of fire installation’s constructing and the bronze casting traditions of the Odino culture (for ex. the use of specific melters). We should also note the particularity of the mutual arrangement of the burials of the Odino and Krotovo cultures at the Tartas-1, Sopka-2 and Ust-Tartas-2 burial grounds. Planigraphic groups of burials were arranged in compact rows, without disturbing each other, despite their close location. At the same time, the burial practice remained clearly differentiated and specific for each culture. Thus, we observe certain archaeological evidence of contacts between the two populations of the Early-Developed Bronze Age throughout the entire 3rd millennium BC. This interaction was expressed in: 1) the presence of ceramics with mixed features, 2) the conjoint deposit of "pure" ceramic complexes, 3) the perception and adaptation of the bronze casting and fire installation traditions of the Odino culture among the Krotovo population.

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