Iron arrowheads of Tien Shan nomads in Mongol epoch

Purpose. Traditionally, arrowheads are one of the most numerous findings from archaeological monuments. While excavating Mongol Epoch tombs in the Tien Shan, archaeologists discovered about 44 iron arrowheads in the burials and 10 more arrowheads were incidental findings. The purpose of this paper is to systematize, classify and analyze the new materials available. Results. According to the classification system suggested by Yu. S. Khudyakov, the arrowheads belong to the category of iron, division «tanged». Each division can be further subdivided into groups based on the cross section of the blade. There are four groups in the materials examined, those with flat, rectangular, lens-shaped and rhombic blades, which are further subdivided into types by the shape of the blade. The flat group counts seven types of arrowheads: 1. Skew-rhombic; 2. Sector; 3. Sector-quadrangular; 4. Long-rhombic; 5. Semilunar; 6. Pentagram-shaped; 7. Ellipse-shaped. The skew-rhombic arrowheads greatly predominate in number (31 pieces), which is typical for Asian nomadic people under the rule of the Mongol Khans. All the types of arrowheads listed above, except for type 3, are widely found analogues to the archaeological materials of the Mongol Epoch throughout the Eurasian steppe land. The flat arrowheads were widely used to shoot at the unprotected enemy and their horse. The rectangular, lens-shaped and rhombic groups of arrowheads are represented by one type each (tomar, warhead and ellipse-shaped respectively). The number of specimens isn’t large. In spite of their quantity, the variety of groups is rather significant. The rectangular tomar is considered to be armor-piercer. Lens-shaped warhead and rhombic ellipse-shaped arrowheads were used universally to shoot both unprotected and armored enemies. Analogues to the rectangular tomar and lense-shaped warheads are often found in other regions of the Asiatic steppe region, but the author has never come across the rhombic ellipse-shaped arrowheads in other territories. The latter arrowhead, along with the flat sector-quadrangular types of arrowheads, is likely to have originated in the Tien Shan region. Apart from the iron arrowheads found, there were two fragments of wooden shafts found in the burials. They have round cross section and bulbous nocks to secure a firmer pinch on the arrow. We have no information regarding the length and species of the wooden arrow shafts to which they used to be attached. It should be noted that, according to the medieval archery manuals, the length of the arrow shaft depends on the stature of the archer and the characteristic of the bow. Conclusion. The arrowheads found represent a typical set of projectiles widely spread among Asiatic nomads in the Mongol Epoch. They might have been brought to the Tien Shan by the Mongol tribes, who invaded the region in the first part of the XIII century.