“Megaliths”: dropstones of the Chuya steppe as a type of archaeological sites (Southern Altai)

The article describes archaeological context of natural objects accumulations of dropstones in the Chuya steppe in the south of the Russian Altai (Kosh-Agach District ofthe Altai Republic). Dropstones are separate large fragments of bedrock or their accumulations transported on the surface of the Late Pleistocene Chuya glacier-dammed lake by icebergs and fallen down on its bottom. In the field season of2023, a dozen accumulations of dropstones were studied in different parts ofthe Chuya steppe, including the so-called Tarkhata megalithic complex. Almost all of them showed traces of impact by ancient people, including petroglyphs on the stones, stone placements, stone mounds, and ethnographic burials. Dropstone accumulations are analyzed using the example of two sites: Zhylky-tas and Chichketerek. Most ofthe petroglyphs at these sites can be dated to the Bronze Age-Early Iron Age (second-first millennium BC). The Tarhata "megalithic ” complex is still considered by archeologists and astronomers an artificial object which served as a kind of astronomical observatory, sanctuary, and sacred center. However, the recognition ofthe Tarkhata complex as accumulation of dropstones challenges conclusion about its function as astronomical observatory. Undoubtedly, accumulations of stones in the steppe, especially huge blocks, incited the imagination of ancient people who could consider them to be creations of their ancestors-gods. This might have triggered revering these objects, desire to "complete ” them, to make rock carving and burial. In addition, large accumulations of stones in the steppe were viewed as landmarks and places of interest.