Distinctive features of images in the scythian animal style on iron daggers from the southern parts of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve

Ron daggers found in a variety of circumstances in southern parts of theOb-Irtysh interfluve have images made in the so called Scythian Siberian animal style.New detailed images have been obtained by tracing images into a transparent film andphotographing and realistically portraying distinctive features of ornamentation onprestigious items. Images on pommels, handles, guards and blades of the items discoverednear villages of Kochki, Rogozikha, Shadrino, the settlement of Ukladochny, in theMamontovo district, and the former Barnaul district have been reviewed with a specialfocus. The modern approach to documentation of all elements of the dagger grouppermitted the scholars to define a circle of analogues, which is limited by cultures in theeastern part of the Scythian-Saka world. The analysis demonstrates a prestigious natureof their use by high status groups of nomadic and sedentary communities. Some findsfrom the forest-steppe Altai areas bear traces of gold, which was used as an element of additional decorations. One of the finds was used to obtain confirmation of the results withthe help of a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer.