History of the study of sacred objects of the Nur-Ishim interfluve in 2018-2020

Abstract

Today, the object of research of the Yessil archaeological expedition is the ancient cult centers that characterize the thousand-year process of sacralizing the landscape of Northern Saryarka. This paper systematizes and presents the archaeological material obtained by the expedition as a result of archaeological excavations in 2018-2020 on the territory of the Nur-Ishim interfluve, and also considers the already known data as a criterion for the sacralization of the studied territory. On the example of a separate geographical region, we propose to study the conditions and mechanism of landscape sacralization and the role of cult memorials in the historical fate of steppe ethnic groups. As a result, large territorial formations rich in religious objects of different eras are identified. A comprehensive study of these territories from landscape and historical and cultural positions will allow us to interpret them as special sacred territories. Taking into account the information obtained by previous research and the work of the Yessil archaeological expedition, it is proposed for the first time in Russian archaeology to consider the geographical region of the Northern Sary-Arka as a special sacred landscape created by the millennial activity of ancient and medieval ethnic groups that lived here. The sacred landscape is the subject of study of a complex of Sciences from geography, sociology, philosophy, cultural studies, to Ethnology and archaeology. The fact that there is a sacred landscape is  studied by archeology, since its objective, visual components are types of archaeological monuments: fortresses, ancient temples, necropolises, rock art monuments. Therefore, the archaeological research presented in this article makes a significant contribution to the reconstruction and study of sacred landscapes. Key words: sacred landscape, religious monuments, winter quarters, mausoleums, archaeological exploration.