The most ancient exhibits of Scythian times presented here
There is a hypothesis that mirrors have memory. If it is correct, can you imagine how many interesting copper and bronze mirrors can tell, which the correspondents of "Komsomolskaya Pravda" - Barnaul "saw in the archaeological museum of Altai State University.
Symbol of truth
The most ancient mirrors presented here are Scythian. They looked like women in the 7-6 centuries BC. You get an amazing feeling when you see them and you can even touch them a little. These are mirrors with a diameter of 5 to 15 centimeters, with sides in a circle, an eyelet in the center on the back. Archaeologists say that metal mirrors were a necessary thing for people of the Scythian time. Perhaps every woman had her own mirror.
At the same time, bronze circles with loops could also be sacred objects.
Fashionistas of the Scythian time
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Women of the Scythian time loved to look attractive. Hairpins found in burials testify that the beauties made themselves lush and intricate hairstyles. In the burials, archaeologists also discovered cosmetic accessories, combs, earrings, expensive imported items - necklaces made of glass and stone beads from the east, fabrics made of the finest Chinese silk.
What mirrors are kept in the museum of Altai State University? Photo: OLEG UKLADOV / kp.ru
Luxury from the Middle Kingdom
Next to the Scythian mirrors in the museum are also mirrors of the Middle Ages. Some of the found exhibits are made in China, and some are local imitations of Chinese origin. In the Middle Ages, mirrors from the Middle Kingdom were highly valued, so they often used only a fragment of the product.
One of these pieces, presented in the museum, was found in a burial ground of the Scythian time near the village of Firsovo (Pervomaysky district of Altai Territory), the same ones were found in the Pazyryk mounds. Analysis showed that the mirrors were made of an alloy typical of Chinese handicrafts: copper, tin, lead. Products made from it are solid with a characteristic color.
Iconic rattles
In the Altai mounds, archaeologists of the State University also found amazing rattling mirrors.
These round mirrors consisted of two parts - a back relief and a front smooth, polished to a mirror finish. Between themselves, these bronze discs were connected by seven neat rivets, and inside the master placed pieces of tin or lead, which rattled pleasantly.
The first rattle mirror was found in the Pazyryk mound by the famous scientist Sergei Ivanovich Rudenko in 1947 and is now in the Hermitage. The nature of the images and the way they are located does not allow scientists to doubt that these things were produced in India or Bactria and had a purely cult character. From there, in the V-III centuries BC, they fell to the nomads of the Altai Mountains.
What mirrors are kept in the museum of Altai State University? Photo: OLEG UKLADOV / kp.ru
What does it mean
- Archaeologists are still unraveling the images on the bronze Chinese mirrors. They sometimes depicted favorite popular games, fables and even fairy tales, - says archaeologist Natalya Kungurova. - Mirrors were not only the subject of individual dressing and cosmetics, but also a gift to wish you a good mood and as a sign of attention.
For example, a ball game was depicted on the mirrors. It turns out that it was everyone's favorite and very popular game in aristocratic circles.
- The game with a hair ball, sewn from six pieces of leather, similar to football, allegedly written sources record from the period of the Warring States era, that is, roughly from 4-3 centuries BC, the researchers say. “However, in addition to written mentions in the holiday reports of officials about the costs of kickball, fairly reliable images of this game appear only during the Southern Song dynasty and it is on bronze mirrors.
This game, according to Kungurova, was the privilege of the nobility, women also played it, as evidenced by the images on the mirrors.
Mirror with a parable
On a fragment of a mirror, kept in the Minusinsk Museum, there is an image illustrating the legend of the meeting of Confucius with the legendary sage Rong Qi-chi during the reign of the Thai emperor Xuanzong. The event features three reasons for fun.
Here is an excerpt from the Le Tzu treatise:
- When Confucius wandered on Mount Taishan, he saw Rong Qi-chi, who wandered across the plain in clothes of skins, belted with a simple rope, and hummed a song, playing along with his lute.
- Dear, why are you having so much fun? Confucius asked him.
- Oh, I have many reasons to be fun! - answered Rong Qi-chi. - Among all things in this world, man is the most precious, and I have the happiness of being born a man. Here's the first reason for fun! Of the two sexes, men are valued more than women, and I have the good fortune to be born a man. Here's a second reason for fun! Among those born into this world, many do not live a day or a month and never get out of their cradle, and I have already lived ninety years. Here's my third reason for fun! For all people, poverty is destiny, and death is the end of existence. I accept my fate and calmly await the end, what should I worry about?
- Perfectly! - Confucius exclaimed. “Here is a man who knows how to be content in this world.
ARINA KOCHNEVA