The problem of specialization of production activity population of Western Siberia in ancient times

The article is a response to papers by L. N. Mylnikova, I. A. Durakov, T. I. Nokhrina and others about the specialization of production during the Bronze to Iron Age transition period and production of certain types of goods in quantities surpassing the needs of the population of the forest-steppe zone in west Siberia. Many authors regard abundant fish bones that were recovered from Zavialovo-5, a fortified settlement site of the Bronze to Iron Age transition period, as the feature supporting significance of fishing in the economic activities of the population under the impact of the tribes populating forest zones northwards from Zavialovo, or migration of these northern tribes to the south. I. A. Durakov and L. N. Mylnikova have also supported the hypothesis of significance of fishing in the economy of the Zavialovo-5 population and explained this fact by specialization in fishing rather than the links with the cultural traditions of the tribes inhabiting the regions to the north from Zavialovo-5. The hypothesis by I. A. Durakov and L. N. Mylnikova that the Zavialo-vo-5 population exchanged the surplus of fish to products of animal husbandry is criticized by the present author. Correctness of the term specialization with regard to certain types of economic activities during the Bronze to Iron Age transition period is attested.