INTERPRETATION OF HORSE FINDS IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF ANCIENT CENTRAL ASIA

Abstract

The article examines the importance of the horse in the life of nomadic and pastoral societies of Ancient Central Asia and the vast Eurasian region, as well as its role in the material culture and worldview of ancient peoples. Based on the archaeozoological data, it is shown that the horse was originally used as a food source, and later became a means of transportation, an element of control over cattle breeding, a military force, and a social symbol. Finds from archaeological sites of the Sopolli, Andronovo, Botai and BMAK cultures, such as bits, stirrups, objects with images of horses and horse burials, reflect the high level of development of the horse breeding tradition. The ecological adaptability of the horse, its influence on increasing the efficiency of cattle breeding, participation in the spread of proto-languages, as well as the religious and ideological significance of this animal are noted. The paper analyzes the ancient rituals associated with the horse, the formation of early veterinary practices and the socio-economic transformations caused by the spread of its use. Special attention is paid to the role of the horse as a symbol of power, faith and might in the culture of Ancient Bactria and the Kavian tradition based on archaeological and written sources.