SERGEY IVANOVICH RUDENKO’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF ANCIENT HORSES IN ALTAI
Abstract
This article is devoted to a comprehensive historiographical analysis of the works of S.I. Rudenko (1885–1969) in the aspect of studying the role of the horse in the culture of the nomadic peoples of Eurasia, with an emphasis on archaeological materials from Altai mounds. The researcher emphasized the importance of the horse as a cultural symbol and social element in the life of nomadic peoples. Based on numerous archaeological finds, including burials, images and objects of Scythian art, Sergey Ivanovich combined data on the culture of horse breeding and funeral practices, demonstrating the high level of breeding and value of horses in an ancient nomadic society, and also pointed to individual forms of harness and its ornament, reflecting stable symbolic motifs. The article aims to systematize and analyze existing sources for an in-depth understanding of the role of the horse in the cultural heritage of Altai, as well as to identify prospects for further research, including expanding the source base and using interdisciplinary methods.
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References
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