Archaeological Finds at Palmov National Museum of Kalmykia, 1961–1991

Introduction. Archaeological collections to have resulted from excavations in the territory of Kalmykia are currently stored at different museums of Russia, namely: Saratov Oblast Museum of Local History and Lore (Saratov), State Historical Museum (Moscow), Palmov National Museum of Kalmykia (Elista), and several other public museums of the region. The National Museum of Kalmykia houses all 1961 to present finds from archaeological surveys in the territory of the republic. Goals. The article describes results of the analysis of archaeological collections at Kalmykia’s National Museum to have been compiled after excavations of 1961–1991. The work provides a complete inventory of finds from the examined period, the latter divided into groups – by field seasons. In addition, it calculates and shapes a list of sites distinguished by largest numbers of finds. Results. A total of 117 mound groups were examined during field works in 1961–1991, including 1,143 mounds and 3,570 burials. The National Museum of Kalmykia houses 4,096 items from archaeological excavations of the mentioned period. Extension of excavation volumes resulted in an increased accumulation of archaeological objects: 46 items after the field season of 1961 — to 200–400 items per each subsequent year. The paper identifies archaeological sites to have yielded most numerous finds currently stored at the Museum: 1) East Manych mound group (559 items), 2) mound groups excavated along VolgaDon Canal route (423 items), 3) mound groups of Tsagan Usn burial ground (337 items). Other remarkable sites include as follows: settlement of Dzhangar (256 items), burial grounds of Dzhangar (235 items), Kuptsyn Tolga (195 items), Evdyk (189 items), Dyuker (180 items)

Archaeology · Art · Excavation · Geography · National museum · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies