Central Asian prototypes of the Khazar horny decorated reliquaries

Among the Khazar antiquities of Eastern Europe, a special place is allocated to horny decorated reliquaries. These objects are made from a special bone-cut blank, i.e. deer horns crotch. Reliquaries are ornamented by multi-character compositions probably illustrating various scenes of the Khazar mythology. As far as the Khazar material culture is concerned, reliquaries are represented as an established object complex category, whose origin is not obvious. The absence of analogies of the Khazar medieval horny reliquaries in Eastern Europe and the Asian origin of Khazars allow to search for such objects prototypes in Central Asia. Objects that are similar to the abovementioned ones in respect of their material, blank, construction and decoration have been known since the Hun-Sarmatian times in Buryatia (Ivolgin site, Derestui barrow, Baragai barrow) and Mongolia (Tariat barrow). The traditional and original character of bone-cutting art as well as obvious similarities of the Khazar «carved bone» with Central Asian traditions can also be considered arguments for the suggestion related to Central Asian prototypes of the Khazar reliquaries.