The research of the vegetable remains from the barrow 19 of the Chineta II burial ground (North-West Altai)

Purpose : The results of the research of the fruits and seeds collection from the barrow 19 of the Chineta-II burial ground, which is dating by IV-III centuries BC, are reported in the article. The burial ground, which is situated in the foothill zone of the North-Western Altai, reflects the process of the interaction between the nomads of the mentioned region and the tribes of the contiguous area of the Eastern Kazakhstan and the Altai Mountains. The excavated burial mound number 19 had the diameter of 7.5 m and was 0.5 m high. The tomb pit had a wooden construction in the shape of a frame laid on stones around the perimeter and roofed by wooden cross block on the top of it. A skeleton of a man who has been laid in an stretched position on the back with the head directed to the east was found in the frame at the depth of 2.2 m. A broken ceramic vessel as well as some ritual food (lamb bones) and accumulation of plant remains were found in the accompanying inventory. Results : With the help of the modern molecular-genetic methods of research (amplification, sequencing), the structure of the DNA molecules of the wings of the fruit plants was obtained and analyzed. Using the classical carpological method based on the morphological features of the fruits and seeds, they were identified with the help of special tables and attributive collections. Researchers are certain about exact identifying of only one plant -Bunias orientalis, the seeds of which could be used by the population of Altai foothills planting this valuable food crop. In the present time, the plant Bunias orientalis (of the Cruciferae or Brassicaceae family) is widespread in Europe, Western Asia and Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Western Siberia, in the forest and steppe zones, and river valleys. It also penetrates semi-deserts. In the mountains, it rises to the upper limit of the forest belt. The center of the origin of this species is not exactly established as scientists have produced two hypotheses. According to one point of view, Bunias orientalis is of Pontian and South-Eastern European origin, according to the other - of Western Asian one. According to reports from other regions, young shoots and leaves of Bunias orientalis were used in food. The population of Eastern countries still eats young stems of Bunias orientalis removing its tough peel. The taste of young Bunias orientalis resembles that of the radish and cabbage-stump. Mustard oil made from Bunias orientalis quickly decomposes, and after a period of from half to two hours the shoots lose their pungency and resemble the taste of the ordinary cabbage. Bunias orientalis could be fried - tops of stems with leaves or peeled stems were dipped in pastry and fried as thick pancakes. Roots of Bunias orientalis were used as food, too. Powder from its dried root was used as an alternative for mustard. Young shoots were a good treatment for bleeding gums. Conclusion : In the Scythian time, the Altai people living in the foothills could deliberately spread Bunias orientalis as its seeds were scattered near the seasonal sites. This sort of plant was not previously thought widely spread on the territory of Siberia and Altai before the XX century. The results obtained substantially supplement with the information about the nomads’ using plants in the common and ritual fields in the period of Late Antiquity.