MAIASP. 2025. No. 20 Albina Yerzhanova (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Alexander Goryachev (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Mikhail Chernov (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Mikhail Antonov (Almaty, Kazakhstan) Production and functional use of bone and antler implements in the Bronze age: evidence from the Turgen-II complex (Jetisu, South-Eastern Kazakhstan) DOI: 10.53737/2713-2021.2025.62.68.009 Access this article (PDF File) Pages: 121—138 |
Bone and antler artifacts obtained during field investigations at the Bronze Age settlement of the Turgen-II archaeological complex are examined as part of the economic and household activities of the ancient population of Jetisu. The study was conducted using a comprehensive approach combining morphological and use-wear (traceological) analyses. The main technological methods of bone and antler processing were identified: sawing, planing, longitudinal splitting, grinding, and polishing. The assemblage of bone and antler tools includes implements used for working metal and wood (hammer, chisels, pressure flaker), for leather processing (awls, gouges, scrapers, beaters, astragali), for pottery production (spatula, stamp), as well as multipurpose tools (handles, knife). Stratigraphic and typological analyses of the assemblage have shown its attribution to the Late Andronovo and Begazy-Dandybai stages of the Bronze Age (15th—12th centuries BCE). A comprehensive study of the bone and antler industry has revealed the dynamics of raw material procurement, processing techniques, and tool manufacture, contributing to the reconstruction of the main types of economic activities of the ancient population. |
Key words: archaeology, Jetisu, Turgen-II, Bronze Age, trace analysis, bone tools, horn artifacts, manufacturing technology. |
Received June 12, 2025 Accepted for publication October 17, 2025 |
About the authors: Yerzhanova Albina (Almaty, Kazakhstan). PhD, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University E-mail: erjanova_a@mail.ru Goryachev Alexander(Almaty, Kazakhstan). Senior Researcher, Margulan Institute of Archaeology E-mail: aga.2805@mail.ru Chernov Mikhail (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Specialist and Artist, Margulan Institute of Archaeology E-mail: mihalapych@yandex.kz Antonov Mikhail (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Researcher, Margulan Institute of Archaeology E-mail: xeofox@mail.ru |