New set of artefacts of indigenous population from Minusinsk basin in XVII-XIX centuries

Purpose. New materials are introduced into scientific circulation on the history of the population of Minusinsk Basin during the period of them joining Russia. The artefacts described were found incidentally and included into the L. R. Kyzlasov Khakassian National Local Museum funds as the «Letnik, Collection 2012». Being a part of a set of material culture, they have become available to researchers. The artefacts include some metal elements of horse equipment, defensive armament, routine household items which reflect traditions of the nomads of the Middle Yenisei during the post-Mongolian time and contain some Eastern Slavic and Central Asian motifs. Results. The paper presents a brief description of the objects and their generalized interpretation. The horse equipment is represented in the set by stirrups, a bit, buckles and belts distributors. The iron stirrups found, the most representative part of the collection, have such common features as massiveness and an arch form of the aperture as well as roundish outline of footboards. The stirrups differ in their handle decoration and loops for stirrup-leather. Similar stirrups are characteristic for the late Mongolian time (the XVII-XIX centuries) and reflect Central Asian communications of the population of Minusinsk Basin. The only bit in the collection is made of iron and possesses roundish lines of ring sections and links and a curved mouthpiece. These morphological features are characteristic of the bits of XVI-XVIII centuries and are connected with eastern (Russian) or western influence. The collection also includes three fragmented frame buckles. Similar products were used throughout all the periods but are considered to differ in the massiveness inherent for XVII- XVIII centuries. The ring of the belts distributor covered with a discoid metal plate is made of iron and has remains of parts of leather belts. It has unique weight for similar products and the sizes that tell about the increase in product massiveness up to the ethnographic present. The elements of protective arms (armored plates) were sewn as plate-armor («kuyak»). It is a representative set of iron armor-clad plates which includes details of various form and size. A number of plates have some decor and the rest-remained parts of the armor silk covering. The household items found are represented by iron plates identified as lining of a chest. The plates have some carnations and breakdowns of subsquare section remained. Besides, the details of the chest include slips loops and fragments of its leather upholstery. Conclusion. The article draws conclusions about a unique character of the collection presented. We emphasize a possibility of considering these artefacts as a single set of utilitarian products. The comparative-historical method used established inclusiveness of this set into the general tendencies of material culture development in Minusinsk Basin, which is a contact zone of interaction for carriers of local (Kyrgyz), Mongolian, Chinese and Russian statehood. The artefacts also reflect some particular features of the history of material culture typical for the nomads of Southern Siberia since the Mongolian gain up to the ethnographic present.