Anton Gass
Phone: +49 30 266-425306
Address: Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz
Archäologisches Zentrum
Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 6
D-10117 Berlin
Address: Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz
Archäologisches Zentrum
Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 6
D-10117 Berlin
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Papers by Anton Gass
One of the central research questions about Scythian society was, and remains, how social status was legitimised and passed on. To clarify this question, scholars offered various models of social development and different explanations for achieving a prominent position. These included merit or biological kinship, as well as a postulated relationship to a mythical ancestor. However, to what extent the kinship relations of the Scythian elites had already led to the formation of dynasties remained unanswered. The use of natural sciences, especially archaeogenetics, promises future breakthroughs to help answer these theoretical considerations.
of Eurasia, so called “kurgans” are almost very complex
archaeological monuments of the Early Iron age.
These sites represent not only a single burial but consist
of further burials, hoards, offering complexes and
cultural installations, which we call “kurgan periphery”.
The Trans-Volga-Steppe forms a transit-corridor between
Asia and Europe housing thousands of kurgans.
However, so far, only very few of them could be surely
ascribed to the Sauromatian culture between 6–4th
century BC and even less kurgans of this époque where
archaeologically investigated. Moreover, the periphery
of these kurgans was never in the scope of archaeological
research. For the first time we undertake
geophysical prospection in this research area.
In the framework of a joint Russian-German research
collaboration, we undertook a high-resolution magnetometer
survey at a range of selected sites. The project
aimed to detect and to describe so far unknown
features and findings in the surrounding and the periphery
of kurgans. Hereby we were able to widen considerably
the knowledge about the spectra of findings.
We show that even the whole landscape changed
dramatically. Some kurgans show quadratic features
inside which were partly made from adobe (sundried)
bricks, some others where made from rammed earth
or adobe bricks.
Many findings that we discovered for the first time in
the Volga steppe have their parallels in similar cultures
like the ones of Kazakhstan, Central Asia or on the
western part of the Volga and in the Northern Caucasus.
This finding indicates the existence of a wide
communication network among the Iron Age horse
riding nomads of the Eurasian Steppe.
Результаты работ показали значительные различия в принципах использования периферии больших курганов древними кочевниками 1-ого тыс. до н.э. по разным берегам среднего течения р. Кубани. Этот факт может свидетельствовать как о разнице погребально-поминальной обрядности древних кочевников, так и о возможном различном этническом составе кочевого населения раннего железного века на современных территориях Краснодарского и Ставропольского краев.
keywords: Monumentality; XXL architecture; large technical infrastructure; Mesopotamia; Eurasia; Rome.
The Scythian-Sakish culture in this region involved also the culture of the Sauromats, who populated the Trans-Volga steppe from the 6th – 4th BC (Смирнов 1984, 10, fi g. 1; Скрипкин 2013, 8–9). The Sauromats were mentioned as the most eastern neighbours of the Scythes.
Herodot described them in the book IV of his history as population of the steppe between the Rivers Don and Volga (Herodot IV, 102), with a similar subsistence strategy and lifestyle as those of the Scythes. After Herodot their origin was Scythian and Amazonian and their language
was even similar but “with mistakes from ancient times since they haven’t learnt this language in the right way” (Herodot IV, 117). Hippocrates and Diodorus Siculus had another idea of the origin of the Sauromates (Hippokrates, 203–212; Diodorus Bibliothecae, 43, 6).
Archaeological research has revealed, however, that the Sauromats and Early Sarmatian tribes populated the areas from the Lower Volga to the Southern Urals during the Scythian period (Parzinger 2007, 46; Скрипкин, Клепиков 2013, 86–98).
Geophysical investigations, such as magnetometry, contribute significantly to the study of the barrow periphery. The use of a caesium magnetometer enables us to explore relatively large areas in a relatively short timespan without excavations and to get detailed information on the structure of both the entire cemetery and the barrow periphery. Graphic computer-aided processing of a caesium magnetometer describes adequately the surface of the barrow periphery and the barrow slopes down to 2-3 metres from the day. A possibility arises to collect abundant information on the pattern and architectural particularities of the barrow erection and to pinpoint the structures in the barrow periphery not visible on the ground surface, such as ditches, banks, hoards, caches, bonfire traces, satellite burials, secondary burials, ritual complexes, remains of funeral feasts and building structures. The structures detected in the barrow periphery are indicative of complex ritual ceremonies conducted by the Scyths around large barrows.
Thus, two different principles of the use of the periphery of large barrows and a new form of the relevant structures previously unknown in the North Caucasus yet recorded in Saka cemeteries of Western Kazakhstan were detected in the Stavropol area.
The use of the magnetic prospection in the course of archaeological fieldwork enables us to detect many new details giving an insight into funerary rites of the early nomads and shows the great potential of the interdisciplinary archaeological-geophysical studies.
magnetometer Smartmag SM4G-Special. The aim of the research was the detection of presence or absence of attendant objects (ditches, barrages, caches, memorial places, burials or pits of various purposes out of mound borders). Total area of 2,8 ha of the Sargat culture mounds periphery was investigated. There were found different elements of constructions, which belong to periphery of the mound: such as double ditches, circle burials, burials in inner ditches and presence of square-shape ditch. All these elements, except square-shape ditch are well-known for the Sargat culture mounds and
can be signed as typical parts of construction of Sargat mounds on the territory of Central Baraba. On the territory of Ust’-Tartas mound cemetery burial ground was found that probably has wider time frames than mounds on the cemetery.
One of the central research questions about Scythian society was, and remains, how social status was legitimised and passed on. To clarify this question, scholars offered various models of social development and different explanations for achieving a prominent position. These included merit or biological kinship, as well as a postulated relationship to a mythical ancestor. However, to what extent the kinship relations of the Scythian elites had already led to the formation of dynasties remained unanswered. The use of natural sciences, especially archaeogenetics, promises future breakthroughs to help answer these theoretical considerations.
of Eurasia, so called “kurgans” are almost very complex
archaeological monuments of the Early Iron age.
These sites represent not only a single burial but consist
of further burials, hoards, offering complexes and
cultural installations, which we call “kurgan periphery”.
The Trans-Volga-Steppe forms a transit-corridor between
Asia and Europe housing thousands of kurgans.
However, so far, only very few of them could be surely
ascribed to the Sauromatian culture between 6–4th
century BC and even less kurgans of this époque where
archaeologically investigated. Moreover, the periphery
of these kurgans was never in the scope of archaeological
research. For the first time we undertake
geophysical prospection in this research area.
In the framework of a joint Russian-German research
collaboration, we undertook a high-resolution magnetometer
survey at a range of selected sites. The project
aimed to detect and to describe so far unknown
features and findings in the surrounding and the periphery
of kurgans. Hereby we were able to widen considerably
the knowledge about the spectra of findings.
We show that even the whole landscape changed
dramatically. Some kurgans show quadratic features
inside which were partly made from adobe (sundried)
bricks, some others where made from rammed earth
or adobe bricks.
Many findings that we discovered for the first time in
the Volga steppe have their parallels in similar cultures
like the ones of Kazakhstan, Central Asia or on the
western part of the Volga and in the Northern Caucasus.
This finding indicates the existence of a wide
communication network among the Iron Age horse
riding nomads of the Eurasian Steppe.
Результаты работ показали значительные различия в принципах использования периферии больших курганов древними кочевниками 1-ого тыс. до н.э. по разным берегам среднего течения р. Кубани. Этот факт может свидетельствовать как о разнице погребально-поминальной обрядности древних кочевников, так и о возможном различном этническом составе кочевого населения раннего железного века на современных территориях Краснодарского и Ставропольского краев.
keywords: Monumentality; XXL architecture; large technical infrastructure; Mesopotamia; Eurasia; Rome.
The Scythian-Sakish culture in this region involved also the culture of the Sauromats, who populated the Trans-Volga steppe from the 6th – 4th BC (Смирнов 1984, 10, fi g. 1; Скрипкин 2013, 8–9). The Sauromats were mentioned as the most eastern neighbours of the Scythes.
Herodot described them in the book IV of his history as population of the steppe between the Rivers Don and Volga (Herodot IV, 102), with a similar subsistence strategy and lifestyle as those of the Scythes. After Herodot their origin was Scythian and Amazonian and their language
was even similar but “with mistakes from ancient times since they haven’t learnt this language in the right way” (Herodot IV, 117). Hippocrates and Diodorus Siculus had another idea of the origin of the Sauromates (Hippokrates, 203–212; Diodorus Bibliothecae, 43, 6).
Archaeological research has revealed, however, that the Sauromats and Early Sarmatian tribes populated the areas from the Lower Volga to the Southern Urals during the Scythian period (Parzinger 2007, 46; Скрипкин, Клепиков 2013, 86–98).
Geophysical investigations, such as magnetometry, contribute significantly to the study of the barrow periphery. The use of a caesium magnetometer enables us to explore relatively large areas in a relatively short timespan without excavations and to get detailed information on the structure of both the entire cemetery and the barrow periphery. Graphic computer-aided processing of a caesium magnetometer describes adequately the surface of the barrow periphery and the barrow slopes down to 2-3 metres from the day. A possibility arises to collect abundant information on the pattern and architectural particularities of the barrow erection and to pinpoint the structures in the barrow periphery not visible on the ground surface, such as ditches, banks, hoards, caches, bonfire traces, satellite burials, secondary burials, ritual complexes, remains of funeral feasts and building structures. The structures detected in the barrow periphery are indicative of complex ritual ceremonies conducted by the Scyths around large barrows.
Thus, two different principles of the use of the periphery of large barrows and a new form of the relevant structures previously unknown in the North Caucasus yet recorded in Saka cemeteries of Western Kazakhstan were detected in the Stavropol area.
The use of the magnetic prospection in the course of archaeological fieldwork enables us to detect many new details giving an insight into funerary rites of the early nomads and shows the great potential of the interdisciplinary archaeological-geophysical studies.
magnetometer Smartmag SM4G-Special. The aim of the research was the detection of presence or absence of attendant objects (ditches, barrages, caches, memorial places, burials or pits of various purposes out of mound borders). Total area of 2,8 ha of the Sargat culture mounds periphery was investigated. There were found different elements of constructions, which belong to periphery of the mound: such as double ditches, circle burials, burials in inner ditches and presence of square-shape ditch. All these elements, except square-shape ditch are well-known for the Sargat culture mounds and
can be signed as typical parts of construction of Sargat mounds on the territory of Central Baraba. On the territory of Ust’-Tartas mound cemetery burial ground was found that probably has wider time frames than mounds on the cemetery.
Der Schwerpunkt der Arbeit ist auf die Entwicklung der Raumnutzung des südöstlichen Siebenstromlandes im kulturhistorischen Kontext gerichtet. Der Steppengürtel des östlichen Eurasiens bietet ein enormes Potential für geistes- und naturwissenschaftliche Forschungen. In einer Kleinregion im südostkasachischen Siebenstromland konnte eine einmalige Konzentration von Bodendenkmälern der Bronze- und Früheisenzeit untersucht werden. Die Dokumentation und Kartierung der archäologi-schen Bodendenkmäler hat ein besseres Verständnis der Raumnutzung in den prähistorischen Perioden zur Folge. Die neu gewonnenen und zusammengeführten Informationen sollen den bis dato skizzenhaften Forschungsstand ergänzen und erweitern. Das Hauptaugenmerk richtet sich auf Nekropolen mit Großkurganen der sakischen Elite. Analysen dieser Kurgangräberfelder bezüglich ihrer Verteilung im Gelände und der Erfassung ihrer inneren Struktur im Untersuchungsgebiet belegen beeindruckend den Prozess einer steten Entwicklung und Ausbreitung der sehr mobilen, reiternomadischen Kultur seit dem Anfang der Früheisenzeit, wobei die Untersuchung der vorangehenden Bronzezeit ein Kulturwandel von der Bronze- zur Früheisenzeit besser nachzeichnen zu können verhilft.
During the years 2008-2011, the TOPOI project (A-1-1) “Pyramids of the Steppe”, in cooperation with the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation in Berlin as well as the A. Ch. Margulan Insititute for Archaeology in Almaty/Kazakhstan, investigated and mapped the large grave mounds – also known as Kurgans – in Early Iron Age necropoleis in southeastern Kazakhstan (Zhetysu).
Construction of the kurgans was in specific focus during this project, namely the internal structures of the necropoleis and their accordance with the landscape. Additionally, the features surrounding the large kurgans – belonging to the periphery of the kurgans as a whole – were recorded and evaluated.
The hitherto unpublished documentation of the ca. 1000 kurgans and their periphery offered a unique look into the burial grounds of the Early Irong Age nomadic horsemen of Zhetysu, dually helping to render a historical-cultural reconstruction of the region.