A late Krotovo (Cherno-Ozerye) caster’s ritual and memorial complex at Tartas-1, Baraba forest-steppe

We describe a feature revealed at Tartas-1-a subrectangular pit No. 147, on the bottom of which a bivalve ceramic mold was found. A detailed description of the archaeological context and of the mold's technical properties is provided. It was destined for casting a socketed bronze chisel-celt. The process of manufacturing such a mold is reconstructed. The edges of the celt were reinforced by ribs, as in the Seima-Turbino specimens. As to cultural attribution, the pit belonged to the Late Krotovo (Cherno-Ozerye) part of the cemetery, closest to burials No. 120 and 155. Their properties indicate a blend of Late Krotovo (Cherno-Ozerye) and Andronovo characteristics. This and related findings suggest that the mortuary ritualism of the Early and Middle Bronze Age cultures in the Ob-Irtysh forest-steppe focused on metalworking. This is especially evident at cemeteries where Seima-Turbino artifacts are present. Small memorial pits are located among the graves, or close to foundries, or within large sanctuaries. In Baraba, such autochthonous ritual practices are typical of the entire span of the Odino, Krotovo, and Late Krotovo (Cherno-Ozerye) cultures. They have not been affected by the Andronovo ritualism. A conclusion is made that rites related to metalworking mirror a progress in bronze casting, a stage when the technological process had become specialized, and founders had acquired a special social status.