Purses-amulets from territory of Tuva in I mill. BC as a phenomenon of cultural symbolization
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2017-04-03

In Tuva (Russia) there are leather purses different degree of preservation and a completely different content, what belong to the Scythian period (IV-III centuries BC). In some cases, it is the musk deer canines, whetstones, needle, in other case - wood composite comb in leather purse (from the tomb Holash k.83 (Mongun-Taiga, The republic of Tuva, Russia) that has been completely sewn along the edge of the product. This burial mound was excaveted by Tuva Archaeological Expedition of the Institute for the History of Material Culture Institute (Russian Academy of Science) in 1995. During the restoration internship at the State Scientific-Research Institute of Restoration (Moscow), it was possible to revert to it in 2014. Thanks to the prerestoration study, hitherto unnoticed fact noted (ocher coloring) and described structure of leather product.
Of course, together with the dead in the Barrow put the amulet as a comb for the hair brings a deep symbolic load associated forces of nature, its protection properties. But what was to sew the edges of the leather articles? Modern Altai to suit women belt, append sewn leather purse on a path with the umbilical cord first child in the family.

Author - Busova, Varvara, Institute for the History of Material Culture, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation (Presenting author)