THE ORIGIN OF IRON METALLURGY IN SOUTHERN SIBERIA: A XIONGNU HYPOTHESIS

The article is devoted to the problem of origin iron metallurgy and formation first large metallurgical center in territory Southern Siberia. On basis archaeological radiocarbon data, it was concluded that not a single iron-smelting furnace Scythian time southern Siberia known. oldest smelting sites appeared region 1st century BC — AD were associated with Xiongnu traditions building oval furnaces. Oval furnaces are known Siberia, Mongolia Baikal cover almost entire area state. Taking account nomadic empire’s constant needs huge volumes iron, hypothesis expressed about deliberate conquest iron-rich deposits Sayan-Altai by Xiongnu, which explains largest province Central Asia on northwestern periphery Empire. traces further development technologies Xiongnu-Xianbei time. materials presented provide for formulating new unique rectangular furnaces, structures Asia. appearance this type Gorny Altai 3rd–5th centuries result consistent underground channels, penetrated into at turn era.