Cult decorative metal of the Surgut variant of the Kulai culture

In this article all the cult decorative metal of the early Iron Age from Surgut Ob region (196 pieces) is analysed for the first time. For detection of specifics of cult art casting primary groups of the found material from all area of the Kulai cultural and historical community is sorted out. The statistics of a ratio of the main groups (types) of casting on different regions is analysed. Comparison of the Surgut collections with metal plastic art from other regions within Kulai culture showed an originality of cult casting of an early Iron Age of Surgut Ob region, its evolution, distinct from evolution of art metal of Tomsk-Narym Ob region. In Surgut Ob region the earliest items are found on the settlement of Atlym culture (late Bronze Age) in Agan's river basin. Here on the settlement Mokhtikjyogan 4 the anthropomorphic figure was found along with the early Beloyarka ceramics. Radiocarbon method showed that the settlement dates from VI-V centuries BC. In total 28 hand-made items of Beloyarsko-Vasyuganskaya stage are known. 163 cult hand-made pieces are connected with a Kulai stage. Among them are anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, ornitomorphic and tree-shaped figures. Comparison of bronze art metal of this region with cult decorative metal of all area of the Kulai community shows, on one hand, its originality, and on another — proximity to Kulai casting from another regions. Proximity can be seen in general themes, stylistics and an iconography of many images (existence of openwork figures, skeletal style, receptions of registration of masks). At the same time, unlike east area (Tomsk-Narym and Upper Ob regions), the share of openwork casting here is insignificant and the sizes of figures are smaller. Majority of the figures have anthropomorphic image. There are only few hoofed animals (elks), and among the predators mostly recognized is the image of a bear. Geometrical patterns - polymorphic images that have any geometrical figures in it, like diadems, are completely absent. Tree-like items do occur. In Lower Ob region where solid miniature decorative metal prevails, many images have other iconography. You can feel Priuralsky influence in them. Relatively few masks were found there, but more of a anthropomorphous figures and zoomorphs. The originality of separate regions fits within a framework of the images widespread in the Ural-Siberian taiga. That allows to talk about a uniform transcultural phenomenon.

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