Combs with Horse Head in Western Siberia During the 16th – 19th Centuries

Quite rare archaeological finds in Western Siberia – the combs with horse head are analyzed in the paper. Their study is based on comparative materials of European Russia. Accounting for archaeological finds and museum exhibits allows the author to develop a typology of the combs with horse head, as well as to determine the chronology of their existence. The shape of the product, on the basis of which three types are distinguished is considered as the leading sign. According to the author, it can be considered proven that the combs with horse head beyond the Urals appeared with the arrival of the Russian population. Based on the typology performed, it can be assumed that in the 16th – 19th centuries there were two penetrating streams of the combs with horse head in Western Siberia. The first stream occurred in the 16th – 17th centuries, when combs of the first and second types appeared here. This penetration can be conventionally called the «North Russian». The second penetrating stream which was characterized by the third type of the comb-pendants took place to the 19th century. The author believes that according to a number of signs, the second stream of penetration could be a consequence of the Volga region influence.