“Late” images on the burial stones of the Tagar burial ground near Mount Tepsey.

Abstract

The authors of the article conduct a thorough examination of a series of rock carvings located on the burial mound stones within a burial ground near Mount Tepsey in the Krasnoturansky District of Krasnoyarsk Krai. Researchers have identified original field materials that showcase a collection of contemporary images. These petroglyphs are categorized within the “ethnographic” layer, indicating their association with modern times. Although the construction of the mounds dates back to the early Iron Age, it is acknowledged that the petroglyphs on the slabs may have been inscribed significantly later, potentially during the period of “ethnographic modernity.” The local population, residing in nearby villages that were subsequently submerged due to the creation of the Krasnoyarsk reservoir, utilized the steppes with mounds for both economic and religious purposes. Among the drawings found on the mound stones of the Tepsey archaeological microdistrict, numerous tamga-like signs have been identified, which, following analysis, have been attributed to the Kachin group of Khakass.

The study also includes an analysis of tree imagery, which, while infrequently depicted in rock art, is prevalent in the folk art of the Khakass, appearing on tambourines and various household items. Additionally, schematic representations of animals, such as horses and deer, were identified, created through both picketing and delicate, barely discernible engraved lines. As a result of this research, previously unknown pictorial materials have been introduced into scientific discourse. The petroglyphs are associated with a new era, encompassing novel stylistic groups of drawings. Some tamgas, which are seldom found within the microdistrict, have been recognized from other rock art monuments in the Minusinsk Basin. Furthermore, interpretations of certain images and scenes have been proposed, contributing to the understanding of this significant cultural heritage.