The adaptation of the seima-turbino tradition to the bronze age cultures in the south of the west siberian plain

This article presents the results ofa study of bronze-casting artifacts found at the Middle Bronze Age settlements ofthe Middle Irtysh region. Seima-Turbino-type clay bronze-casting molds from the sites of Chernoozerye VI, Abramovo-10, and Vengerovo-2 are described with regard to construction, composition of molding mixture, and types of cast. Special attention is paid to the archaeological context. At Abramovo-10, the casting area was located between the houses; at Vengerovo-2, in a special structure with furnaces and utility pits. Similar types of casting areas, furnaces, and reusable molds attest to the unification of the casting process and a sophisticated tradition practiced by the indigenous Krotovo people, who, judging by the molds and casts, manufactured the Seima-Turbino-type bronze weapons themselves. The Irtysh, with its tributaries, was a transportation route along which the tradition spread. Initially, Seima-Turbino bronze artifacts were imported; but eventually they were replicated by local casters, who, in certain respects, adhered to their own metallurgical traditions.