Ornamented on-grave posts of the Tobol-Irtysh Tatars: interpretation of cultural heritage

The article examines the problems of historical and cultural relations and semantics of carved wooden ornamented on-graved posts of the Tobol-Irtysh Tatars. These constructions are spread in the Irtysh River basin in the north of Omsk and in the south of Tyumen regions. The semantics of the on-grave posts tops decoration is discussed in the paper. The sharp form of the pommel symbolized a spear (arrow) and marked the male graves. The flattened crown-form finials were called combs and associated with female burials. Comparative ethnographic and archaeological materials borrow a wide spread of similar ideas about gender differentiation in various traditions. Sharp-pointed heads are the specific feature of male characters in the ritual sculpture of the Uralic language family peoples. The spear-signs on the burials of various groups of Siberian Tatars have parallels in the construction of tugs – pillars or poles marking the locations of Muslim sanctuaries-mazars in Central Asia. This tradition is associated with the custom of sticking spears on men's graves spread among a number Turkic-speaking peoples of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. The comb symbolism is usually associated with the feminine and erotic surrounding. The relevant ethnographic and archaeological materials are given in the work. Of particular interest are analogies with the images of combs on the female burials carved stone tombstone steles in the North Caucasus. At the same time, the set of objects depicted on the male tombstones included edged weapon of the piercing type. The conclusion is substantiated that the ornamented on-grave posts are the important factor of local identity and cultural heritage object.