Pastoralists and mobility in the Oglakhty cemetery of southern Siberia: new evidence from stable isotopes

Abstract

Abstract

Millet Consumption in Siberia Prior to Mid-Second Millennium Bc? A Review of Recent Developments

“…Another important point to emphasize here is that even after the 14th century BC, there was considerable variability in the consumption of millet, with some individuals showing little to no use, and this continued well into the Early Iron Age (cf. Murphy et al 2013;Shishlina et al 2016;Wilkin et al 2020); similar observations have been made for central Kazakhstan (Lightfoot et al 2015). We have previously addressed the possibility of a freshwater reservoir effect on the 14 C dates obtained (Svyatko et al 2017a), and, while it remains a possibility, we do not think it would have a major impact on the date for the introduction of millet into the Minusinsk Basin.…”

A lack of freshwater reservoir effects in human radiocarbon dates in the Eneolithic to Iron Age in the Minusinsk Basin

“…The isotopic results also correspond well with the previously identified patterns of Bronze to Iron Age subsistence in the region, according to which the diet of the Eneolithic to Middle Bronze Age populations was primarily C 3 -based and included large proportions of animal protein (and possibly fish), and only from the Late Bronze Age are C 4 plants, most likely millet (as no other C 4 plants suitable for a dietary staple are known in the area), incorporated into the diet in a systematic, isotopically detectable way (Svyatko et al 2013 Shishlina et al 2016). Moreover, we can be reasonably confident in proposing that millet was cultivated in the Basin, since any significant and persistent trade in a staple crop with regions outside the Minusinsk seems unlikely given the distances involved and the long-term average represented by stable isotope measurements of bone collagen.…”

Revealing lost secrets about Yingpan Man and the Silk Road

“…This is consistent with the image of the face painted on his death mask and the fact that he wears a golden diadem across his forehead, which is more traditionally associated with Greece 4,7 . However, Yingpan Man's white hemp mask is similar in style to the white painted gypsum masks of the Tashtyk culture from the Minusinsk Basin of Russia 46 . In addition, Yingpan Man and the mummies of the Oglakhty cemetery of Tashtyk date to nearly the same period (third to fourth centuries AD), and the polychrome silk cloth from the Tarim Basin has also been discovered in Oglakhty 46 .…”

“…However, Yingpan Man's white hemp mask is similar in style to the white painted gypsum masks of the Tashtyk culture from the Minusinsk Basin of Russia 46 . In addition, Yingpan Man and the mummies of the Oglakhty cemetery of Tashtyk date to nearly the same period (third to fourth centuries AD), and the polychrome silk cloth from the Tarim Basin has also been discovered in Oglakhty 46 . This evidence, while circumstantial, could suggest some form of association or that links with the Tashtyk may have taken place during the lifetime of Yingpan Man, possibly through trade or familial relationships (Fig.…”

“…In addition, isotopic analysis of sequential hair samples from mummies recovered from the Oglakhty cemetery in the Minusinsk Basin of southern Siberia, Russia (~ 900 km north of Yingpan) also show seasonal dietary variation with millet and fish consumed during the late summer and autumn 46 . These mummies of the Tashtyk culture date to the same period as Yingpan Man (third to fourth centuries AD), and interestingly were also buried with white painted gypsum funerary masks that are similar to the one that Yingpan Man was wearing 46,47 . This unique burial tradition could suggest links such as trade or an association between Yingpan Man and the Tashtyk culture and additional research is necessary to explore this possibility in more detail (Fig.…”