Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences / Metal Mirrors from the Alferovsky Burial Ground (Altai Republic)

Full text (.pdf)
Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences. 2026 19 (8)
Authors
Seregin, Nikolai N.; Kireev, Sergei M.; Radovskaia, Elena A.; Radovskij, Sergei S.
Contact information
Seregin, Nikolai N.: Altai State University (Barnaul, Russian Federation); ; ORCID: 0000-0002-8051-7127; Kireev, Sergei M.: National Museum of the Altai Republic named after A. V. Anokhin (Gorno- Alyaisk, Russian Federation); ORCID: 0000-0001-6850-6647; Radovskaia, Elena A.: Altai State University (Barnaul, Russian Federation); Altai State Museum of Local Lore (Barnaul, Russian Federation); ORCID: 0000-0003-3512-7899; Radovskij, Sergei S.: Altai State University (Barnaul, Russian Federation); ORCID: 0000-0001-8668-3831
Keywords
metal mirror; Altai; museum; necropolis; chronology; burial rite; interpretation
Abstract

The article concerns the publication and characterization of metal mirrors discovered during excavations of burials at the Alferovsky burial ground and currently housed in the A. V. Anokhin National Museum of the Altai Republic. The discovery of these objects is described, as well as the context of their location within the burials at the site, located on the outskirts of Gorno-Altaisk. A detailed description of the metal mirrors is provided, demonstrating both the general and specific features of such finds. It has been established that these specimens originate from a necropolis belonging to the northern variant of the Pazyryk archaeological culture. Possible interpretations of the unclear relief images on the disk and handle of the mirror from burial 3 are formulated. The handle of this item is likely shaped as a stylized griffin, or it may represent a recumbent camel with a coiled serpentine neck. Possible interpretations of the image on the disk include the figure of a deer, a griffin, or a predator. It’s possible the object represents a stylized composition depicting several figures. Considering the range of relevant analogies, as well as the design features and size of the pieces, the metal mirror from burial 3 can be dated to the late VI–V centuries BC, while the find from burial 1 is dated to the V – first half of the IV centuries BC

Pages
1646–1656
EDN
GVUZIR
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/159337

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