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Iron Age society and chronology in South-east Kazakhstan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Claudia Chang ,
Norbert Benecke ,
Fedor P. Grigoriev ,
Arlene M. Rosen  and
Perry A. Tourtellotte
Claudia Chang
Affiliation:
Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA. 24595
Norbert Benecke
Affiliation:
Eurasien-Abteilung, Deutsches Archaologisches Institut
Fedor P. Grigoriev
Affiliation:
Central State Museum, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Arlene M. Rosen
Affiliation:
Institute of Archaeology, University College London
Perry A. Tourtellotte
Affiliation:
Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA. 24595
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Abstract

This new view of Iron Age society in Kazakhstan breaks away from the old documentary and ethnic framework and offers an independent archaeological chronology. Excavated house types and new environmental data show that nomadism and cultivation were practised side by side. Scholars had previously tended to emphasise the ability of documented Saka leaders to plunder and collect tribute from sedentary agriculture groups through military aggression. But what really gave them a political and economic edge over other steppe groups was a dual economy based upon farming and herding.

Keywords

Iron AgeKazakhstanchronologyeconomy
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 77 , Issue 296 , June 2003 , pp. 298 - 312
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2003

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