Rock images in Proskuryakov grotto, Khakassia

The paper presents materials from Proskuryakov Grotto - the rock art site in Khakassia situated on the Belyi Iyus River (Fig. 1). Images in the grotto are unique for the region where numerous rock art sites are known in the open air and dozens of caves and grottoes without any images. Excavations in Proskuryakov Grotto were carried out in the 1970-s and yielded abundant paleontological materials of the Pleistocene epoch (46-40 thousand years ago). Anthropomorphic images painted with red pigment on the grotto walls date from the Early Bronze Age (ca. 4500 BP) and are similar to the images of deities well known in the Okunevo culture and correspond to its early phase. The images are preserved in fragments and do not provide any new stylistic or iconographic data, yet the site is important as the evidence of ritual practice of Okunevo population. The article presents a detailed description of all images revealed in the grotto and colour photos (illustrations VIII and IX). In addition to the Early Bronze Age paintings located in the central part of the grotto scratched petroglyphs have been revealed in its small side part (Fig. 3; illustration IX, 4, 5). The latter should be considered as ethnographic evidences and elements of traditional Khakassian culture.