Horse harness hoard from Southern Transurals

This paper deals with the research results of horse harness hoard, which is dating from the second half of eighth to seventh centuries BC. It was found near the lake Travakul, where the cliff range ends, in the Eastern foothills of the Southern Urals. The hoard is consist of five bronze items, including girth buckle in the form of predator from the cat family, curling up in a circle and plaque in the form of predatory bird head. Metal composition of the items substantially differs from the metal of Itkul culture, in the area of which it was found. Travakul hoard marks early infiltration of the steppe nomadic tribes to the area of Itkul culture. This infiltration was caused by the intention of the South Urals nomads to put under control getting of non-ferrous metals, which were smelted by the Itkul metallurgists.