Iron products’ collection from Tyumen excavations

Blacksmiths are mentioned on the very first lists of Tyumen craftsmen who provided important industries and fulfilled state needs. The article describes finds from Tyumen excavations of 1988: weaponry, tools, craft and trade utensils, household items from the 17^th to the early 20^th centuries. Weaponry. A spear tip with an asymmetrical rhomboid extended narrow flattened nib, long square-section neck and funnel bushing (26,6х1,7х1 sm.) was used in Russian armament until the end of the Middle Ages (the end of the 17^th - the beginning of the 18^th centuries). The armor piercing arrow head with a pyramidal nib, a four-sided stem and a slightly rounded pointed ending (13х1,5 sm.) dates from the 17^th century. Spear socketed butt-weight with a square point was put on the shaft back end for driving into the ground (10,7х2,5 sm.). Spear socket basis (dates from the end of the 17^th century) has a through hole 0,6 sm. in diameter. Knives (22 items) are represented by five types: knives with a straight back and two steps at the knives’ bars’ and beam’s side where they shift to the tapering stem (1^st type, 9 items, 20-30х3-3,7х0,4 sm.). Knives with an inclined hump back and inclined steps at the bar’s and beam’s side shifting to the tapering stem refer to the 2^nd type (2^nd type, 2 items, 15-18х2-3х0,4 sm.). Knives with a straight back and inclined steps at the beam’s side shifting to the broad expanding stem with symmetrical blade edges (3^rd type, 6 items, 10-20х2-3х0,4 sm.; one knife is of 31,7х3,3х0,5 sm.). A table knife with a curvilinear and hump side, vertical short steps at the bar’s and beam’s side shifting to the square narrow stem, with a raising oval blunted edge refers to the 4^th type (4^th type, 1 item, 26х2,1х0,1 sm.). Such knives had handles made of pressed-on plates which were riveted. A clasp knife with horny covering in a folded position (5^th type, 1 item, 11,3х3,3х1,3 sm.). Nails (40 items) are represented by construction nails, shoe nails and horseshoe nails. Construction nails are systematized by their length -23-28 sm., 13,5-18 sm., up to 13,5 sm., to 9 sm., to 6,75 sm. Shoe nails (14 items) are found as separate finds, the rest of them - in six stacked heels (1,5-3х0,15х0,4 sm.; nail head diameters - 0,2-1 sm.). Horseshoe nails are represented by hoof nails, survived in horseshoe bends. Carrier’s trade, characteristic for Tyumen, is documented by horseshoes (10 items), carriage linchpin, a cart axle fragment (?), horse harness buckles (3 items) and connecting rings. Tools’ finds are not many - the fragments of a sickle, drill bars, a plane iron (?), awls (2 items) and half of scissors. Household items are represented by door latch gear (staples (5 items), screw bolts (2 items), a chain for suspending a pot, rush-light holders (2 items), a spoon, a bail and shoes (6 items). In general, it can be concluded that Tyumen blacksmiths worked in the tradition of Old Russian masters’ working of iron and met citizens’ daily needs.

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