Bronze casting of the Vychegda Permians (based on the materials of the Lower-Vychegda Chezhtyyag burial ground)

The paper deals with the burials of the excavation No. 7 of the Lower-Vychegda Chezhtyyag burial ground of the Vym culture of the Vychegda Perm, in which objects indicating the occupation of the population by bronze casting were found. The analytical studies were based on using optical and scanning electron microscopes. Based on the analysis of the grave goods, the belonging of these burials to women is substantiated. The conducted geochemical analysis of scrap metal found in the burials is represented by tin bronzes with lead separations, metallurgical copper, tin and silver-copper alloy. Metallurgical copper, lead-copper, zinc bronze, and tin bronze were used to manufacture adornments and household items. Convincing evidence of local bronze casting was obtained. Tin bronzes, lead and copper were produced mainly locally. Among the non-ferrous metal products, both products of local craftsmen and imported ones are presented. The similarity of the composition of non-ferrous metal and scrap metal products confirms the assumption that the burials in question belong to female casters, whose main field of activity was bronze casting.