Dmitry А. Nenakhov and Yulia N. Nenakhova

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia

E-mail: nenaxoffsurgut@mail.ru

Keywords: celt, classification, Early Iron Age, axe ears shaped as a bird of prey, Tagar culture, Krasnoyarsk Krai.

The article considers a set of celts with ears shaped as a bird of prey from Krasnoyarsk Krai (29 items). These objects are dated within the 7th–3rd centuries BC and according to the M.P. Gryaznov’s classification belong with type IV celts. The paper analyzes the morphological variability of the celts as a consequence of the continuity of various cultural traditions including Seima-Turbino, Samus-Kizhir, Karasuk, and Tagar ones. As part of the study, key features for creating a classification scheme were identified including shape of ears and their attachment points, celt body shape, section area of the sleeve, and presence/absence of the socket. Based on the above analysis, the authors developed a scheme with six form variations of celts with ears shaped as a bird of prey. The study identified features characteristic of earlier groups of celts, such as elongated bodies and an oval sleeve. It should be noted that the ornament of shaded triangles also pertains to earlier forms, particularly to the Karasuk style. Most celts have ears in the form of a bird of prey located at the edge of the sleeve, and only seven items have ears located lower. The socket as a structural element has four types. In the most archaic and earliest celts in the series, the socket is absent (type 1). Later, a tradition emerged to emphasize the socket rim in a special way, for example, with a thin flat belt (type 2). Some celts have a narrow and slightly reinforced socket (type 3). The latest type in this sequence is the “classic” wide “clutch” (type 4). The ear shape of the celts remains unchanged during the 6th–3rd centuries BC. The bird’s neck is missing, the cere (on the beak) is not shown, there is no openwork hood. Generally, it is a stylized depiction of an eagle’s head. As a rule, the ears are well cast, the “eye” is through, and the “beak” looks up towards the sleeve. The appearance of the celts with ears shaped as the head of a bird of prey was formed over a long period. With a high degree of probability, it can be assumed that in some celts there are elements of earlier forms. The dynamics of the morphological variability of the celts within this group indicates the preservation of stable traditions and conservatism in the bronze foundry.

DOI: 10.7868/S3034577426010041