The Techniques of Modeling and Decorating Upper Paleolithic Anthropomorphic Figurines from Malta, Eastern Siberia

We present the results of a microscopic analysis of anthropomorphic fi gurines from Malta, southeastern Siberia. The bulk of the collection comprises “classical” specimens unearthed by M.M. Gerasimov in 1928–1958. Recent studies by G.I. Medvedev and others in Irkutsk focused on the chronology, micro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia
Main Authors: L. V. Lbova, P. V. Volkov, E. N. Bocharova, V. S. Kovalev, N. A. Khaykunova, Л. В. Лбова, П. В. Волков, Е. Н. Бочарова, В. С. Ковалев, Н. А. Хайкунова
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:Russian
English
Published: IAET SB RAS 2017
Subjects:
Мальта
Malta
Upper Paleolithic
anthropomorphic figurines
ivory processing
decoration
технология обработки бивня
декорирование
Arctic
Siberia
Online Access:https://journal.archaeology.nsc.ru/jour/article/view/287
https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2017.45.3.048-055
Description
Summary:We present the results of a microscopic analysis of anthropomorphic fi gurines from Malta, southeastern Siberia. The bulk of the collection comprises “classical” specimens unearthed by M.M. Gerasimov in 1928–1958. Recent studies by G.I. Medvedev and others in Irkutsk focused on the chronology, microstratigraphy, and cultural subdivision of the deposits. The analysis of fi gurines excavated by Gerasimov has revealed the manufacturing sequence, as well as modeling and decoration techniques. The process included the primary processing of mammoth ivory, preparation of a blank with key elements being marked, fi nal modeling, and decoration. At each stage, specifi c tools were used. Especial attention is paid to decorative elements: patterns, engraving, rendition of clothing and accessories, and painting. Tools included planing knives, scrapers, cutters, burins, and hand-drills. The decoration process was subject to a certain canon that concerned key elements of design, their combination, and choice of the decorated area. One of the most intriguing facts about the decoration of fi gurines is that in certain instances traces of several pigments such as scarlet, green, and blue were revealed. В статье представлены результаты микроскопического анализа образцов антропоморфной скульптуры с известного сибирского верхнепалеолитического памятника Мальта. Основная, «классическая» коллекция была получена при раскопках под руководством М.М. Герасимова в 1928–1958 гг. Исследования памятника в последние годы иркутскими археологами под руководством Г.И. Медведева актуализировали проблемы возраста, микростратиграфии, культурной дифференциации комплекса. Предлагаемые результаты микроскопического анализа антропоморфных фигурок коллекции, полученной в период «Герасимовского цикла» исследования, позволяют выявить технологическую последовательность, основные способы формообразования и декорирования антропоморфной пластики Мальты. Определены технологические этапы формирования изделия: обработка исходного бивня, заготовка скульптуры с ...

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