The medieval settlement of Nogerbek: Results of archaeological and paleo-economic research

Abstract

The article examines the results of archaeological and paleo-economic studies of the medieval city of Nogerbek, which is located in the Ulytau region. The first archaeological research at the site was conducted by Academician A.Kh. Margulan and S. Zholdasbayev. Archaeological excavations were resumed by G. Akhatov, a researcher at the A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, in subsequent years, during 2015-2017. This study presents the findings of the field excavations conducted at the site in 2018 (excavation director: Zh.R. Utubaev), as well as the subsequent laboratory analyses. A morphological analysis of the ceramic material revealed that the vessels were used for both household and kitchen purposes. The majority of the ceramics (83%) were made using the traditional hand-building technique of coiling and fired in open flames. Only 17% of the vessels were carefully made on a potter’s wheel and fired in special kilns. Based on their function, the vessels were classified based on their function as follows: kumsha (3%), köze (21%), large storage jars (14%), small kitchen jars (52%), and handled cups (3%). The most dominant items were the storage köze and small kitchen jars. Comparable ceramics have been frequently unearthed at medieval settlements in the lower reaches of the Syr Darya. The vessels from the city of Zhankent were found to be the most similar in terms of shape and decorative motifs. The morphological and technological characteristics of the ceramic assemblage suggest local production, providing insights into daily life and the economic structure of medieval urban culture. The archaeozoological analysis revealed the taxonomic composition of the osteological material, the anatomical structure of the domestic animals, their age profiles, their meat consumption patterns and any traces of modifications or pathologies on the bones. A total of 503 mammalian bones were studied, 404 (80.3%) identified to species. The assemblage is dominated by domestic animals (98.5%), with a small share of wild fauna (1.5%), including saiga (Saiga tatarica) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Among domestic species, small ruminants account for the largest share (35.9%), followed by horses (33.2%) and cattle (28.4%), with smaller quantities of camel and dog remains. Slaughter profiles show small ruminants at 1,5-2,5 years, cattle after 2,5 years, and horses mostly over 10 years.