Collection of Horseshoes from the Excavations of the Historical Center of Tara

Purpose. The basis of the research is the collection of horseshoes accumulated over the course of archaeological research of the historical center of the city of Tara in the Omsk region between 2007–2019. Currently, the collection contains 50 items. It is the largest collection among the studied Russian cities of Siberia. The aim of the study is to determine the level of development of certain technologies, transport and military affairs among the population on the basis of this category of items – from their manufacture to maintenance. The emergence of horseshoes became a step in the development of the economy, as it significantly increased the efficiency of the use of horses – the main driving force before the emergence of mechanical engines. Results. The collection items obtained over the course of archaeological research in Russian Siberian cities allow us to study the process of distribution of these devices in this region and the development of technical maintenance of horseshoe horses – production and replacement of horseshoes. The Tara collection, together with the context of their location, made it possible to study the ‘life’ of these items in detail – from manufacture to wear-breakage and their replacement. The main result of the study was the understanding of the need for constant ‘technical’ maintenance of putting horseshoes on horses, which was very significant in the military and economic aspect of the Russian Siberian city in the 17th – early 20th centuries. Conclusion. Study of appearance and distribution of such a technological method as putting horseshoes on horses in Russian Siberian cities allows to show the development of metalworking technologies and the appearance of innovations in other sectors of the economy – construction, trade, and so on.