Some Aspects of Interpretation of the Coin Indications from the Turkic Burial Complexes in Inner Asia

Abstract

The article considers the analysis of coin indications from the Turkic burial complexes of Inner Asia which demonstrates the contacts of nomadic tribes with Sogd. The volume of the available materials about these connections is very insignificant, despite of considerable amount of information on the similar relations in written sources. The authors present the review of results of excavation of Turkic memorial complexes with the Sogdian inscriptions, and also materials of the funeral sites containing some confirmations of contacts of nomads in the “western” direction. The main attention is paid to the analysis of several “elite” Turkic funeral complexes of Uvgunt, Maykhan Uul and Tuekta which are dug out in the territory of Mongolia and Altai. Feature of these objects is presence at structure of accompanying stock of monetary indications (brakteat) which origin, judging by the available data, can be connected with the Sogd territory. Additional information for interpretation of these finds could be obtained during the studying of runic inscriptions on indications which are presented in article in detail. The analysis of the recorded features of archaeological complexes does not allow drawing any conclusions on a concrete functional purpose of the considered monetary indications. At the same time there are no doubts that gold brakteats were important indicators of the social status in the Turkic society in Inner Asia. The maintenance of runic inscriptions on the brakteats in Tuekta and Uvgunt burial grounds that are presented in single copies, according to the offered reading, allows assuming presence at the found indications of the functions which are not connected with the trade sphere and considering them as the objects reflecting some relationship among the Turkic elite.

DOI 10.14258/izvasu(2017)2-43