The functions of the Bronze Age ash heaps in the southern Trans-Urals: reflection in artifacts

The functions and origin of Bronze Age ash heaps have been the topic of scientific debate for a long time. The ash heaps of the Southern Trans-Urals as separate objects began to be studied in archaeology relatively recently. The paper focuses on the ash heaps that were uncovered in the course of excavations at three nearby Bronze Age settlements in the Southern Trans-Urals - Stepnoye, Streletskoye-1, and Chernorechye 2. The work was aimed at analyses of the complex of artifacts contained in the ash heaps in order to identify differences in the composition of objects. Comparative statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the artifact complexes of the Stepnoye settlement (Sintashta archaeological culture), on the one hand, and the Streletskoye-1 and Chernorechye 2 settlements, on the other. Intact and broken goods related to various spheres of household and everyday life (hunting andfishing, clothing production, pottery) dominated in the ash heaps at the Streletskoye-1 and Chernorechye 2 unfortified settlements. A large number of waste of the lithic tool production and traces of bone-carving have also been recorded. Stepnoye has been defined as a fortified settlement of the Sintashta type. Quite few items related to the household sphere were found in the ash heaps. Preforms and waste of the bone-carving production represent significant part of the recovered artifact complex. Products of metallurgy (nozzles, macroforms, metalworking tools, metal ingots, slags) were found in large quantities. Remains of a light building containing two Bronze Age human burials were identified in the ash heap. Soil studies have shown that the "ashy” layers were formed not during the burning process, but as a result of organic mass rotting. The derived analytical data suggest that the ash heaps of the Streletskoye-1 and Chernorechye 2 settlements were formed in places of discard ofhousehold garbage, whereas the Stepnoye ash heap of the settlement were formed in the place of a production site for bone cutters and metallurgists, and used for other economic and ritual purposes.