Handles of Early Iron Age Cauldrons from Southwestern Siberia

Handles of Early Iron Age bronze cauldrons from southwestern Siberia are described with reference to their ritual meaning. Typological features, such as knobs, arcuate, or square shape, relevant for dating. Two chronological groups established: the Tagar (second half 1st millennium BC) and Xiongnu-Xianbei (late BC early AD). The interpretation handles depends on context. At settlements (Turunovka-4) in certain hoards (First Dzhirim) Late Bronze Age, they can belong foundry scrap. However, occur long-term sites Aidashenskaya Cave, suggesting a different interpretation. Indeed, at Eastern European forest-steppe Xiongnu era, had been intentionally buried, most often near water sources, where summer camps nomadic herders were situated. A similar situation is observed Siberia, Baraba Middle Yenisei valley.