Technological analysis of ceramics on Tartas-1 archaeological site (eastern variant of Pakhomovo kulture)

Purpose. The author conducted technological analysis of ceramics (the clay paste and temper composition) found in the sacral-manufacturing complex and burials of Tartas-1 archaeological site in order to identify the cultural influences on the territory studied. Using the microscopical analysis of the vessel surfaces, we compared different types of tempers in the clay paste with the base of experimentally made samples. The method of petrographic analysis was applied to define physical and chemical properties of the clay paste and temper. Samples of 110 vessels were analyzed, 108 of which were found in different sacral-manufacturing complexes, and two taken from burial № 588. Results. All the studied vessels were made from ferruginous clay mass. Ironstone, mica (30 %) and shells are considered a natural admixture. The clay mass is divided into three groups according to the amount of natural sand: small, middle and large. The clay paste included both organic and mineral tempers. The first type includes an organic extract, probably made from manure of ruminant animals, which is identified in 108 samples (99 %). It was traced due to amorphous cavities with smoothed walls and black glossy coating and with traces of crushed vegetable organics. In two cases the manure itself was used as a temper. Chamotte was traced in 109 samples (99 %) and it is, together with the organic extract, the most typical kind of temper for such ceramics. The second mineral temper found in the clay paste was crushed stone. In 13 cases it was traced together with chamotte, and in one case without it. It is not homogenous according to its mineral composition as 6 samples included calcite and 8 - granite. Four types of clay paste were recognized: clay + chamotte + organic extract (85 %); clay + chamotte + manure (%); clay + chamotte + crushed stone (granite or calcite) + organic extract (12 %); clay + crushed stone + organic extract (1 %). Petrographical analysis proved the existence of these types and defined crushed stone as granitoid and calcite. Conclusion. Comparison of pottery technology of the eastern variant of Pakhomovo culture with that of other cultures in Baraba forest-steppe and neighboring territories showed its difference from the autochthonous Late Irmen culture. An admixture of chamotte and organic extract made it possible to compare the studied ceramics with the ceramics of the Pakhomovo culture in the Tobol-Irtysh region. Due to the presence of the admixture of crushed granite, the ceramics studied can be identified as imported and connected with the Begazy-Dandybaj culture of Central Kazakhstan. The main result of the study is a hypothesis of coexistence and interaction of both local (Late Irmen) and newly come (Pakhomovo and Begazy-Dandybaj) population on the territory of the sacral-manufacturing complex.