Scythian-like cultures within China's territory in the 7th - 3d centuries b.c. and their connections with nomads of Sayan and Altai mountains

The article characterizes main Scythian-like cultures within China Territory and considers the issues of their interaction with ancient cultures of Kazakhstan and Southern Siberia. Rich archaeological materials found recently in Xinjiang and Northern China confirm the supposition about Western and Eastern historical-cultural entities existing in the 8th-6th centuries B.C. The Western group included Caucasian cultures ofXinjiang, Kazakhstan, Altai, Tuva and Western Mongolia; the Eastern group - Mongoloid cultures of Northen China, Mongolia and Transbaikalia. In the Minusinsk Basin influences of the both groups can be traced. Cultural contacts were mostly made within the groups and in North-South direction and backwards, which can be traced by both import and characteristics of horse equipment. In the Western part from the 7th to 3d centuries B.C. the Saka of Kazakhstan had the main influence, which spread up to Dzungaria and Tuva. In the Eastern part the entity was established earlier - since the Late Bronze Epoch (Karasuk Bronze) from the Nothern China to Transbaikalia and the Minusinsk Basin. From the 7th to 3d centuries B.C. contacts between the cultures were made within the territory of the Western Mongolia and Southern Siberia, and only since the second half of the 3d century B.C. apparentely through Xinjiang. The influence of North Chinese “Barbarians ” was the responsible for South Siberian tribes, including territory of Upper Ob Region and Minusinsk Basin in 7-4 centuries BC. It retraces in penetration of the details harness and belt furniture, characterizing the culture of Yu Huang Mao, Mao Qing Gou, Yang Lan and Shajing to the north and west. This direction last for the period of 4th-3d centuries BC in the form of supplies of mirrors and varnished items, made in kingdoms of China.