Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia 40 (2) 2012

Annotation:  The Upper Paleolithic Assemblages of Shugnou, Tajikistan Fish Bones in Odino Ritual Complexes at Preobrazhenka-6, Western Siberia Copper Mines, Chromite Copper Ores and Slags of the Ishkinino Bronze Age Archaeological Microregion, On the Origins of Decorative Traditions in the Early Bronze Age Pottery of the Middle Tobol Basin, W Suruktakh-Khaya Sanctuary, Yakutia, Revisited: Tentative Results and Prospects Early Iron Age Archer’s Finger Tab from the Eastern Amur Region Medieval (9th–13th Century) Combs from Northwestern Siberia The Masoleums of Majar in 18th-Century Descriptions and Drawings Qasar-Qurug: Western Headquarters of the Uighur Khagans and the Problem of Por-Bazhyn Identifi catio Grave Circle B at Mycenae in the Context of Links Between the Eastern Mediterranean and Scandinavia Tobolsk Enkolpion Traditional Perceptions of the Dog Among the Khakas People of the Late 19th–mid 20th Century Impact of Salmon Fishing on Livelihood and Social Relations Among the Ulchi and the Amur Nanai (Seco NULLEmotion, Identity, and Death in the Greek Tradition and Beyond On the Biological Affi nities of People of the “Lappish Parishes”: A Craniometric Analysis of the 17   

Medieval (9th–13th Century) Combs from Northwestern Siberia

O.V. Kardash and T.M. Ponomareva.

Medieval (9th–13th century) wooden and bone combs from archaeological sites in the Middle and Lower Ob basin are described. Those from Strelka and Bukhta Nakhodka are published for the fi rst time. The shape of the combs and the meaning of certain decorative patterns are discussed and comparative data is used. Until the 13th century, the native peoples of Northwestern Siberia used mostly unilateral combs made of a single piece of wood or bone. Later they were gradually replaced by imported bilateral combs of the Old Russian type or their local replicas. Apparently, medieval unilateral combs were used not only as hygiene items but also as elements of coiffure and amulets.

Keywords: Northwestern Siberia, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, Ob, Ob Bay, Bolshoy Yugan, Samoyed, Ostyak, combs.