The sculpture of an head of an elk from the Fofonovo cemetery (early neolith, Southeast Pribaikalye)

The publication represents the results of the complex research of the sculpture of an head of an elk from the early neolith grave of the Fofonovo cemetery in Southeast Sicbaikal. The sculptures with the image of an elk appeared in the upper paleolith of the region, and have further development in the neolith and in the era of the early metal that allows to assume rather steady representations connected with these artifacts. The studied sculpture of a head elk in aggregate with such archaeological fixed signs of the ceremonial actions of the ancient Fofonovo peoples as the ritual object with the skull of a bear in the structure of the cemetery, the lack of the skulls and the presence of the «another’s» skull in the grave, testify to their relation to a head as to a receptacle of vital force (a soul). On the basis of the analysis of the received results the assumption is put forward that the Fofonovosculpture was the individual hunting amulet acting as the «material» sign of the communication of the person with other people and with the natural environment. The experimental-technological and the tracological analysis of the Fofonovo-sculpture showed use of the various techniques emphasizing the sacral importance of the artifact.