Anthropomorphic mask

myminifactory

The majestic bronze mask, a true marvel of ancient craftsmanship, was unearthed during the meticulous excavation of tumulus No. 39 on the revered Timiryazevskiy-I burial site. Two striking oblique incisions adorn each cheek of the mask, skillfully executed to represent a distinctive type of face painting or tattooing technique that has long fascinated researchers. The prominent, elongated neck of the mask bears an intricate image of a lifeline, while the head appears to be donning a military helmet, adding to its mystique and historical significance. Discovered in the north-eastern sector of the earthen burial mound at a relatively shallow depth, closer to the edge of the tumulus, the mask was found nestled alongside an iron bladelet beneath an intact small ceramic vessel. This vessel, expertly crafted for a specific funeral rite, had never been used in everyday life, underscoring its importance in ancient rituals. The grave itself, located at a depth of 0.6 m in the south-western part of the mound, yielded a treasure trove of artifacts, including a skull belonging to a 25–30-year-old female, a ceramic vessel, a bronze plaque, and two enigmatic iron objects. The manufacturing process behind this magnificent mask remains a mystery, leaving researchers to ponder its purpose and usage in medieval rites. However, examples of similar bronze masks in Siberian cults offer valuable insights into the mask's significance. It appears that the mask was an integral part of a small doll, crafted from leather, wood, and fabric components that have unfortunately not survived. The bronze mask was likely attached to the doll via the long neck and notches on the opposite edges. Researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries regarding the doll's burial, concluding that it was intentionally interred at a shallow depth in the mound alongside the woman's grave. Furthermore, the presence of "personal belongings" – an iron bladelet and a small clay vessel – suggests a poignant connection between the doll and the deceased individual. Siberian ritual practices provide multiple examples of manufacturing small dolls with metal masks as faces to honor the deceased or household guardian spirits. Indigenous people would treat these dolls as living human beings, nourishing them, putting them to bed, and dressing them in special attire. In some cases, when the dead person's soul transitioned into a newborn member of the same family, the doll could be laid to rest in a cemetery. The discovery of the Timiryazevo mask may well be linked to similar rites performed in the Timiryazevo pine forest approximately 1,500 years ago. The explored mask is part of the "Timiryazevo group" of anthropomorphic artifacts that have diffused throughout the basin of the river Tom during the 5th–8th centuries AD. This remarkable object has been scanned by The Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Research in Archaeology "Artefact" at the National Research Tomsk State University, providing a unique window into the world of ancient Siberian cultures.