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Antimony Ornaments, Votive and Ritual Items of the Koban Culture in the Caucasus as a Historical Source
https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2025.53.1.083-089
Abstract
Archaeological excavations carried out in the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania over the past 15 years have yielded numerous artifacts associated with the Proto-Koban (15th/14th to early 12th century BC) and “classic” Koban culture (9th–8th centuries BC). Here, we analyze antimony artifacts from the cemeteries of Adaidon, dating to the Proto-Koban stage, and Elkhotovo, representing “classic” Koban. The analysis of composition of the metal revealed the recipes used by ancient craftsmen for manufacturing weapons, ornaments, and votive items. Antimony ornaments from Elkhotovo suggest that this substance was used not only in the Middle and the beginning of the Late Bronze Age in the Caucasian highlands, but also much later in the piedmont zone of the region. The study of certain bronze artifacts from Adaidon suggests that to make ornaments and votive items more attractive, antimony in the amount of 4.5–5.0 % was added. As a result, they acquired a light-golden color and luster.
Keywords
Bronze and Early Iron Ages,
Caucasus,
Koban culture,
antimony ornaments and insignia,
metal composition of artifacts,
antimony deposits in the Caucasus,
Adaidon and Elkhotovo cemeteries
Supporting agencies: This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 22-28-01363). The authors thank S.V. Khavrin (the State Hermitage Museum), who performed a number of analyses to determine the composition and percentage ratio of metals of the artifacts.
About the Authors
V. T. Chshiev
Institute of History and Archaeology of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Chshiev V.T., Senior Researcher
Vatutina 46, Vladikavkaz, 362025
T. T. Magkoev
Khetagurov North Ossetian State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Magkoev T.T., Professor
Vatutina 44-46, Vladikavkaz, 362025
B. A. Totoeva
Khetagurov North Ossetian State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Totoeva B.A., Lecturer
Vatutina 44-46, Vladikavkaz, 362025
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Review
For citations:
Chshiev V.T., Magkoev T.T., Totoeva B.A. Antimony Ornaments, Votive and Ritual Items of the Koban Culture in the Caucasus as a Historical Source. Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia. 2025;53(1):83-89. https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2025.53.1.083-089
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