Technical and technological analysis of the ceramics of the late bronze archaeological monument Ozerki-1 in the Bashkir Urals

The relevance of studying small settlements in recent years is associated with the lack of information about the monuments of this type. The data on small settlements can help to find answers to a number of topical issues, such as settlement system, interaction with large settlements. The location of small settlements near water bodies attests to the fact of using them primarily as seasonal shelters. These places also served as pastures for the flock. The article contains the results of technical and technological analysis of ceramics obtained during the study of archaeological site of the late bronze age Ozerki-1. The monument is located on the territory of the Beregovsky archaeological district the Meleuzovsky region of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The analysis of ceramics was carried out within the historical and cultural approach, according to the technique developed by A.A. Bobrinsky. The study let reveal a large number of recipes of moulding materials. This data obtained during the analysis of ceramics in a comparatively small area of excavation, may be associated with the active process of transformations of adaptive pottery traditions that were taking place in the course of cross-cultural contacts. As a result of excavations, the author obtained the new data on the economic activity of the population of the Western slopes of the southern Urals in the Late Bronze Age. The findings let discover the traces of metallurgy, find the bones of domestic animals, reveal the location of small settlements around large settlements. The fact of business chain existence, including farming, industry of stone and steel processing testifies to the possible autonomy of the studied areas. The data can be used in comparative works that reflect the course of historical processes of the Late Bronze Age on the territory of the forest-steppe Urals.