Myakotnoye-1: A New Multilayered Archaeological Site in the Lower Basin of the Aley River (Ob-Irtysh Steppe Region)

Abstract

During the 2022–2025 excavations, the authors discovered a new multilayered archaeological site, Myakotnoye-1, in the lower basin of the Aley River, in the steppe zone of the Ob-Irtysh region. The site is located on a small promontory of a large terrace remnant (“yelban”) on the left bank floodplain and it has not been markedly affected by modern activities. Geomagnetic exploration at the site did not reveal any archaeological structures, but exploratory excavations identified two cultural horizons. The upper horizon dates back to the Late Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. The lower horizon dates to the Early Bronze Age. The concentration of fragments of vessels of the Elunino culture in the lower horizon is of particular interest. There are few places of the Elunino culture in the Aley valley. The main concentration of objects belonging to this culture is located in the valleys of the Ob and Irtysh Rivers, as well as in the ancient hollows of the runoff located to the northwest. The only exception is the thoroughly studied settlement of Berezovaya Luka, located at the lower end of the Aley River. However, information about the sites related to the Elunino culture is incomplete, and the locations of discovered objects have not yet been confirmed. This emphasizes the need for further discovery of new Early Bronze Age archaeological sites in this region. The Myakotnoye-1 site, together with several other sites, marks the southeastern boundary of the main cluster of sites associated with the Elunino culture. The Early Bronze Age cultural layer identified at Myakotnoye-1 may be tentatively linked to the episodes of economic use of the resources in the Aley floodplain. It may happen that this cultural layer could preserve signs of ritual activities, as it is supported by indirect evidence.