Engraved overlays of a bow from mound no. 4 of the burial ground of Ondyrys II (Northern Kazakhstan)
Yarygin S.
2023Margulan Institute of Archaeology
Kazakhstan Archeology
2023#2023Issue 261 - 80 pp.
The article presents the results of the study of engravings on two middle side overlays of a compound bow from the burial mound no. 4 of the Ondyrys II burial ground. The mound with a male military burial belonged to the circle of rare monuments of Northern Kazakhstan of the turn of the era. The engravings on the overlays were first found in the region. They are paired schematic images of animals with a different design of the upper part. While inspecting the overlays under a microscope, all the details of individual images, the sequence of application were revealed, conclusions were drawn regarding the carving tool. The shape and size of the overlays allow us to compare them with similar items used at the turn of the era in the southern regions of Central Asia, as well as by the representatives of the Middle Sarmatian and Bulan-Koba archaeological cultures. The origin of the tradition of drawing signs and drawings on bow parts in Northern Kazakhstan is probably connected with cultural impulses from the Hunnu area. Engraved overlays are known in Transbaikalia, Tuva and Altai. The images are either a decoration of overlays, or an illustration of mythological representations that existed in the culture of the nomads of Northern Kazakhstan at the first stage of the Hun-Sarmatian period (2nd century BC – 1st century AD). The semantics of the drawings can vary from the meaning of benevolence to the owner to the illustration of an ethnogonic legend.
archaeology , bow overlays , burial , engraving , Northern Kazakhstan , Ondyrys II , turn of the eras
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Margulan Institute of Archaeology in Astana, Astana, Kazakhstan
Margulan Institute of Archaeology in Astana
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026