Altai

The mountain range and region of southern Siberia which has yielded important prehistoric remains. Rising above 4000 meters, this area has Palaeolithic deposits (Ulalinka Creek) and a late glacial occupation (Ust' Kanskaia Cave). Some food-producing cultures appeared c 3rd millennium BC and metallurgy entered c 2nd millennium, when copper ore was exploited. Pastoral nomadism and horseback riding were introduced in the 1st millennium BC. There are rich burials which indicate a society of social differentiation and a warrior elite which acquired precious goods from far-flung regions. In the 4th-2nd centuries BC, iron gradually replaced bronze. Altai groups are also characterized by animal art styles, similar to the Scythians who occupied the steppes of southern Russia to the west.

Mountainous region of southern Siberia which has yielded important prehistoric remains. As well as some possible Palaeolithic deposits at Ulalinka Creek, a late glacial occupation is documented on a number of sites including the Ust’Kanskaia Cave. Food-producing cultures appeared probably in the 3rd millennium bc (see Afanasievo) and the following millennium saw the development of metallurgy, exploiting the important copper ore sources of the Altai itself (see Andronovo, Karasuk). In the 1st millennium bc pastoral nomadism, accompanied by the development of horseback riding, was introduced, and the period from the 7th century bc to the 1st century ad is known as the Early Nomad Period. It is known archaeologically from rich burial remains (see Pazyryk), which document a society characterized by marked social differentiation and dominated by a warrior elite, who enjoyed considerable wealth and acquired prestigious goods from far-flung regions. These communities were initially bronze-using, but in the 4th-2nd centuries bc iron gradually replaced bronze for most purposes. A rich animal art style is characteristic of these groups, as of the culturally very similar Scythians who occupied the steppes of southern Russia to the west (see Animal Style).