Results of the use-wear analysis of horse gear items from the excavation of the Chishminskoye settlement of the Late Bronze Age (Bashkir Ural region)

The article presents the results of traceological study of bone items from horse harness – a spurless grooved psalia and an ornamented strap distributor from the excavations of the Chishmin settlement. The site is located in the Bashkir Pre-Urals. From 1980 to 1983, an expedition led by Yu.A. Morozov uncovered an area of over 700 square meters at the site. The main part of the archaeological material was associated with the log-built archaeological culture of the Late Bronze Age. Materials from the Abashevo, Alakul, Cherkaskul, and Mezhev cultures are represented to a lesser extent. The collection of bone artifacts from the settlement excavations consists of 28 items, among which the most notable are the examined psalia and strap distributor. The relevance of the research is dictated by the insufficient study of bone inventory from the Bronze Age in the territory of the Bashkir Pre-Urals. The main research method used was traceological analysis, which allows for the study of traces on the surface of the objects. The examination of the items was conducted using a MBS-10 stereo microscope and Altami MET 6T metallographic microscope with a digital camera. Although data on the mentioned finds had been previously published, the results of the traceological analysis are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. Additionally, a comparison with a number of analogies from the Eurasian steppes was conducted. The examination of the collection revealed that the psalia has only been partially preserved to date. The upper part is lost. The research results confirm the active use of the grooved psalia and distributor, and also allow tracing the techniques of bone processing used in their manufacture: cutting, planing, carving, and drilling. All bone processing operations were carried out with metal tools, and there are no signs of abrasive processing. The wear trace complex has a pronounced character and indicates interaction with a soft elastic material – leather straps.