The Russian Geographical Society announces a competition for the right to participate in the expedition «The mysteries of the ancient painters of Siberia – 2017», which will take place in the Republic of Khakassia from the 10th of July to the 10th of August.
The objective of the project – is to expand the range of scientific knowledge about the mysterious Okunev archaeological culture of Southern Siberia.
Find of Itkol II burial ground: atypical for the Altai image of the bull. Photo courtesy of the organizers of the expedition
Okunev Culture - Early Bronze Age culture, common in the Minusinsk steppes in the Middle Yenisei (XXV-XVIII century BC). Its name was received by the Okunev ulus tract in the south of Khakassia, where in 1928 the first burial ground of this culture was unearthed. Experts consider Okunev's culture to be one of the brightest cultures of the Early Bronze Age in all of Northern Eurasia. Its art is represented by rock paintings (petroglyphs), numerous objects of small artistic plastics and «Okunev Stellas» - anthropomorphic stone statues, sometimes reaching a height of several meters. These figures have a general outline reflecting the myth of the division into three worlds: the top is made in the form of a bird's beak, in the middle part there are images of one or more anthropomorphic creatures, the lower one is the open mouth of the snake, facing downwards.
Within the frames of the expedition the volunteers will be able to take part in the completion of studies of the most ancient part of the Itkol II burial ground. It is planned to complete excavations of the «elite» burial mound of the burial ground and conduct a study of the adjacent territories in search of a memorial building, and also to conduct a study of another large mound entering into Itkol II. It was here that unique finds of carved horny figures were made, which became world famous.
Photo courtesy of expedition members
Research of burial grounds on Lake Itkul has already allowed scientists to restore the almost complete pantheon of deities that existed among these people: there were birds, animals, humanlike creatures, and ideas about the afterlife were very developed.
Clearing of burials. Photo courtesy of expedition members
Based on the results of studying Okunev culture, it is planned to write scientific articles and prepare a collective monograph.
The expedition members will live in the field. All necessary equipment (tents, sleeping bags, generators, etc.) will be provided by the organizers. They also incur expenses related to food and accommodation. Volunteers are paid travel from Moscow to the place of expedition and back.
The photo is provided by the participants of the expedition
Volunteers aged from 18 to 30 years are accepted to the expedition. To participate in the contest it is necessary to fill out an application, which can be submitted before June 18.
The photo is provided by the participants of the expedition