Abstract
The article considers the epic of the Turkic-Mongolian peoples emphasizing that its analysis is promising for solving problems related to metalworking (primarily, objects of art made from non-ferrous metal) in the early medieval nomads of Central Asia. One of the approaches used by the authors is gathering references and directly presented information about metal objects, metalworking processes, blacksmiths, and forging tools. The study states abundance of references to metal realities in the epic and the scarcity of information about metalworkers and their work. The latter clearly goes against the ethnographic data on the development of the blacksmith’s craft among the Turkic-Mongolian peoples. The explanation for this is seen in the fact that the creators of the epic during its emergence were only starting to master the blacksmith’s craft. In the Early Middle Ages, when the main “layer” of the epos was formed, some Turkic tribes, for example those of the Sayan-Altai, themselves provided (according to archaeological materials) their warriors-riders with the range of metal products required for their life (primarily armament), and even exported them (according to written sources). At the same time, high-quality metal objects (especially artistic) made of non-ferrous metal could be received from their sedentary neighbors, newcomers or captured artisans. Another area of research is studying all aspects of the worldview associated with the blacksmith’s work and the fi gure of the blacksmith refl ected in the epic works. It is this information that helps to understand the place of the metalwork master and metalworking crafts in the early medieval nomadic society. The figures of mythical blacksmiths in those epics where they act are particularly formidable and powerful. Their divine patronage gave actual blacksmiths a high status in society, which is proved by ethnographic materials.
Keywords
Epic, metals/metalworking, blacksmith, Turkic-Mongolian peoples, Central Asia, the Early Middle Ages, ethnographic time.
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