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Ceramics of Kurlek Settlement (northern foothills of Altai)

Ancient pottery has a tremendous information potential for cultural and historical reconstructions. Such source of information requires a comprehensive study. The article presents a comprehensive analysis of a small collection of ceramic fragments (about 200 items) originating from the destroyed cultural layer of the Kurlek settlement in the northern foothills of Altai. According to the shape and ornamentation of the rims, the collection highlights and demonstrates the materials of three known archaeological cultures of the Early Iron Age: Bystryanskaya, Kulaiskaya and Maiminskaya. The results of the technical and technological research are of special importance. Seven different recipes of pottery paste have been recorded. They have been correlated with other identified features of ceramic production. There has been made a conclusion about contacts of the Bystryanskaya culture population with the representatives of the Kulaiskaya historical and cultural community. The Maiminskaya ceramics showed a mixture of different cultural traditions. Having studied the presented materials, there is still need for further considering other available finds within the framework of the mentioned cultures. Keywords: northern foothills of Altai, Kurlek, settlement, fragments of ceramics, Early Iron Age, ornament, technical and technological analysis, Bystryanskaya culture, Kulaiskaya culture, Maiminskaya culture Acknowledgements: The study was partially carried out within the framework of state assignment No. 0329–2019–0003 “Historical and cultural processes in Siberia and adjacent territories” (performer — N. F. Stepanova).