MAIASP. 2024. No. 16

P.I. Shulga (Novosibirsk, Russia), D.P. Shulga (Novosibirsk, Russia)

On the function of bronze “currycombs”from the Minusinsk Basin

DOI: 10.53737/2713-2021.2024.36.61.005

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Pages: 113—124

The article discusses the question of the bronze “currycombs” function — accidental finds from the Minusinsk Basin. The products differ considerably in their design but they are distinguished by the presence of thorns 1—2 cm long and openwork design. It is assumed that these “currycombs” could be used as as a kind of cruel cheek-pieces from the Late Bronze Age to the 6^th — 5^th centuries BCE. However, there were no convincing reconstructions of “currycombs” functioning. The problem is partly solved by data from northern China. The discovery of similar items with thorns in chariot horses bridles in the Shang and Western Zhou epochs burials in China allows us to conclude that in the 13^th — 9^th centuries BCE in these territories they were a part of composite cruel bits. At the same time, one of the published cheek-pieces in China has an openwork design similar to some Minusinsk “currycombs”. Apparently, all of them were put on an arch clearance on the mouthpiece and attached to the split cheek straps through the holes in the “legs” bases.

The «currycombs» with handles and bow-shaped ones, which existed in the Minusinsk basin until the 6^th — 5^th centuries BCE method of using is far more difficult to determine. Judging by the degree of wear and arrangement, the products with handles were not inserted into the bits, but into some metal tubes. However, such devices in horse equipment of Eurasia in the II—I thousand BCE are not known. Bow-shaped «currycombs» were also not adapted for use with ringed bits widespread in the 6^th — 5^th centuries BCE. They don`t pass through the bits` outer rings and could only get attached to the bits designed for double-hole cheek-pieces. There is also no explanation for bronze thorns significant wear on some specimens that appear to be in contact only with horse skin. Solution to these issues is delayed by an insufficient source base. The proposed work is intended to partially fill this void.

Key words: Minusinsk Basin, North China, Late Bronze Age and Scythian time, horse equipment, chariot complex, cruel cheek-pieces.

Received April 18, 2024

Accepted for publication May 15, 2024

About the authors:

Shulga Petr Ivanovich (Novosibirsk, Russia). Candidate of Historical Sciences, Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

E-mail: shulgapi55@yandex.ru

Shulga Daniil Petrovich (Novosibirsk, Russia). Doctor of sciences, Siberian Institute of Management — Branch of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation

E-mail: alkaddafa@gmail.com