Wheeled Transport and Eurasian Communications of the Early Nomads Cover Image
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Колесный транспорт и евразийские коммуникации ранних номадов
Wheeled Transport and Eurasian Communications of the Early Nomads

Author(s): Victor A. Novozhenov
Subject(s): History, Archaeology, Cultural history, Economic history, Ancient World
Published by: Издательский дом Stratum, Университет «Высшая антропологическая школа»
Keywords: Central Asia; Northern Pontic Area; Akhaemenid Empire; Ancient China; Аrzhan; Pazyryk Culture; communications;wheeled transport; Sakas; Xiongnu

Summary/Abstract: Cultural and historical processes in the beginning and first half of the I Millennium BC determined the nature of interactions between the early nomads of the steppe Eurasia, consolidating remote regions and civilizations, forming branched trans-continental channels for dissemination of advanced knowledge, inventions and various goods. These well-developed communications stimulated production and evolution of nomads’ own wheeled transport vehicles. This assertion is based on a detailed analysis of relevant written, visual and archaeological sources, as well as on evidences of use of chariots and cavalry in this period.The article analyzes evidence of the actual use of wheeled transport in the early nomadic communities in the northern part of the Central Asia. Particularly, the author scrutinizes materials of the Pazyryk kurgans in the Altai, which are a unique proof of the practical use of various types of wheeled vehicles by the early nomads. He draws new materials from Sarmatian and Saka burial grounds from Kazakhstan: Taksay, Kyryk-Oba and Berel, materials from Arzhan kurgans, as well as findings of Xiongnu, Han and Turkic (5th—8th cc. AD) vehicles. The author suggests development of a steady local tradition of wheeled vehicles among the early nomads, stemming from the Bronze Age chariot complexes of the Ural-Kazakhstan steppes, which became the material foundation for the transport communications of the emerging Silk Road.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 57-88
  • Page Count: 32
  • Language: Russian