Iron knives in Tara at the end of 16th - first half of 18th centuries

Purpose. Research on the first Russian cities of Siberia allows archaeologists to understand more deeply the specificity of integrating this region into the Russian state, to restore many moments of development on these territories, to recreate the appearance and lifestyle of the first pioneers. Results. During excavation in Tobolsk, Verkhoturye, Mangazeya and other towns, we obtained unique materials which cover historical events of the end of the 16th - beginning of the 18th centuries. Among them there are archaeological findings from the historic center of town Tara, which have been excavated since 2007 to the present time. The cultural bedding of the fortress contained a huge collection of objects made by the Russians, by indigenous people and produced in foreign countries. The purpose of this article is to determine the significance of some lifestyle aspects of the residents of the town, namely the role and specificity of their using knives and ways of wearing them. The category of products in question is metal knives found during the excavations and dated the end of the 16th - the first half of the 18th centuries. Conclusions. Having analyzed the material at our disposal, we classified the knives found in Tarа fortress into five types: table knives, two types of household knives with a half-moon blade and a long thin blade, universal knives with direct butt and so-called zasapozhnye knives (worn over tops of the boots). Some of the knives were accompanied by belt and the zasapozhnye scabbards. While it is difficult to identify the particular purpose of the knives found as they could be used for a number of purposes, we distinguish table knives with a half-moon blade. They were used only inside the house as they have a specific blade, not suitable for fighting, and have no scabbard, which means that were not carried around. Another type of knives, one with a long thin blade and having no scabbard as well, was used for butchering. Such knives are still used for this purpose in some villages. Some of the knives were obviously universal and it is them which have the scabbards found. The scabbards were attached either to the belt or to a boot ( zasapozhny ). In general, the territory of the fortress witnessed constant attacks, and there are no knives with ornaments found, all of them were used for particular purposes rather than as decorations. Among Siberian population at those times the knife was the most popular type of stabbing weapon, with knives having a short blade being most popular. We have not found specifically fighting knives, though, which means that universal knives must have been used for this purpose.