MAIASP. 2025. No. 20 Rinat Zhumatayev (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Mambet Shagirbaev (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Nurnazar Galymzhan (Almaty, Kazakhstan) New data on archaeozoology of the Eleke sazy 2 settlement: animal husbandry and economic activities in the Tarbagatai foothills during the bronze age DOI: 10.53737/2713-2021.2025.41.39.010 Access this article (PDF File) Pages: 139—158 |
The article presents the results of archaeozoological studies of animal remains discovered at the Bronze Age settlement of Eleke sazy 2 (Kazakhstan, Abay Region, Aksuat District) in 2022. The aim of the study is to determine the cultural and economic type of the Bronze Age settlement in the foothills of Tarbagatai, examine the development of ancient animal husbandry and hunting practices, and analyze the composition of ancient fauna. The material was described using standard archaeozoological methods: the species composition of the paleo-fauna was identified, morphological features of domestic animals (age, exterior characteristics) were assessed, and some pathological changes in the bones were identified. A total of 2,876 mammalian bones were analyzed, of which 1,668 (57.9%) were identified to species. Domestic animal bones predominated (97.5%), while wild mammal bones were rare (2.5%). Among domestic animal remains, small ruminants were the most numerous (66.2%), followed by cattle (27.3%) and horses (4.4%). Dog bones were found in smaller quantities. Most small ruminants were slaughtered at ages ranging from 1 to 4 years. Cattle were mainly kept for dairy production and were typically slaughtered at 3—4 years or older. Most horses were slaughtered at mature and older ages. The seasonality of slaughter for cattle, small ruminants, and horses was determined. It was revealed that the slaughter of domestic animals did not occur year-round. Domestic ungulates were primarily slaughtered during the warmer months. The inhabitants of the settlement lived there from spring to early autumn. |
Key words: archaeology, archaeozoology, Tarbagatai Mountains, Bronze Age, Eleke sazy 2 settlement, animal husbandry, seasonal/age structure of slaughter. |
Received September 16, 2025 Accepted for publication September 30, 2025 |
About the authors:
Zhumatayev Rinat (Almaty, Kazakhstan). PhD, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University E-mail: zhumatayevr@gmail.com Shagirbaev Mambet (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Al-Farabi Kazakh National University E-mail: mambet_87@mail.ru Galymzhan Nurnazar (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Al-Farabi Kazakh National University E-mail: galym_nazar@mail.ru |