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In the present article we have studied the
fragments of 60 vessels found in 23 sites of the Tuymaada Valley by the
archeological expedition of Yakutsk State University. Cogged and figured stamps
characterize the ornament of the Early Iron Age in Yakutia. The preliminary
classification was based on 31 elements of the stamp and drawn ornaments. The
elements of the ornaments were divided into 4 main groups: 1) cogged; 2)
figured; 3) drawn; 4) stick- impressions cutting into the ridges to imitate
twisted cord. According to the characteristics of technical décor three types
of ceramics are defined: waffle, ribbed and smooth-walled. Besides, there are 2
main groups defined according to their ornamental decoration: ridge and
non-ridge. Horizontal rows made up from similar elements are the main motifs of
the ornament. In turn, the decorations form ornamental compositions of several
(2-4 and more) rows of stamps.
Two statistic selections for composition
analyses have been employed. Accordingly, studies of composition were conducted
in two variants: by number of vessels and number of sites. The structure of
ornamental compositions and statistic analyses of the ceramics paste
composition showed quite slight differences in the groups of smooth and toothed
stamps, and also between waffle-, ribbed-, and smooth-sided types of ceramics.
This might reflect a unity of traditions in making different kinds of ceramics
(in fact, this means a cultural unity) or, at least, succession of traditions
or culture.
This analyses shows that the ceramics tradition
of the Iron Age in the Tuymaada Valley is quite homogenous in its basis. This
definitely attests to the existence of a monolithic culture. The study of the
Early Iron Age of the Tuymaada Valley are just being developed.
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