On the Origin of Early Schyto-Siberian Culture and Arzhan-1 Kurgan of Tuva, Southern Siberia

In this study, author analyses Arzhan-1 kurgan, located in (=Tyva) republic of Russian Federation, Southern Siberia. Although it was excavated more than 40 years ago(1971~1974 years), many researchers still devote themselves to figure out the chronology of Arzhan and its significances as the indicator for the origin of Scytho-Siberian culture. Arzhan-1 Kurgan is located near village of same name, and Gryaznov M.P., who excavated and reported Arzhan-1, suggests that this kurgan is dated to 9-8th BCE and could be regarded as the earliest site of scytho-siberian world(a.k.a. scythtian world of Eurasian Steppes). Recently, Gryaznov’ dating is confirmed by dendrochronological dating and advanced C14 datings(AMS and Wiggle matching). So, in this study, author shows up the reasons why the earliest scythian kurgan appeared in Tuva plateau. Firstly, Author suggests that the climate change in 10-8th BCE forced peoples of Siberia to change the economic patterns of late bronze ages. At this time, as climate became cold and dry, significant migration of people from Taiga region to Western Siberia in Novosibirsk region was caught by archaeological discoveries in Chicha-1 site. The excavation of Chicha-1 revealed fortresses with deep ditches, and complex economic patterns of hunting, agriculture and stockbreeding. In the same period, people of Tuva plateau had no choice to engage in more intensified stockbreeding or migrate to more adequate region for sedentary economy. In contrast to Chicha-1 people, Arzhan people, located in mountainous plateau, selected nomadic life style with advanced horse equipments, bronze weapon and animal style ornaments. Climate change made the steppe more humid and promoted nomadic economy. Secondly, author figures out why Arzhan people built big kurgan from the start of Scytho-Siberian Cultures. Author takes into consideration that Arzhan revealed various type of horses from each burial cameras, and the construction of kurgan formed as a wheel, with leaders tomb on the centre. This means the great size of Arzhan doesn't show the concentration of political power as shown in big Korea or Japan in the period of state formation, but it played a central place for rituals of nomadic people. Neighboured(maybe from Altai or Minusinsk plateaus) Each tribes(or peoples) contributed fully equiped horses to leader's funeral. Like this, Arzhan people played a leader' role in the union of nomadic society of Southern Siberia. The Arzhan's advanced change of economy turned out to be very successful, so that in 7th BCE most of Eurasian steppes were predominated by scytho-siberian cultures. On the other hand, construction of big kurgan flourished not only in Arzhan but in Pazyryk and Tagar cultures in 7th BCE. These kurgan show means that the domination of Arzhan people on whole Souther Siberian Steppe had declined.