MONUMENT OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY EARLY 20TH CENTURY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26577/JH202511915Keywords:
mill, stone, grain, wheat, river, ditch, dam.Abstract
The article presents the results of the ethnoarchaeological research conducted in 2024 in the Kegen district of Almaty region on the water mill and its materials. This object is being studied for the first time. The research was carried out within the framework of the Project of the Department of Archaeology of the Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The construction of the mentioned water mill was undertaken during the Second World War, namely in 1940. It was established from local informants that the mill operated using the water power of the Komirchi River until 2005. In 1991-1992, the water mill was repaired and reconstructed. To set the water mill in motion, a special ditch was dug along the mountain slope 1 km upstream of the ravine. The mill is located on a flat depression. It is known that in order to stop the device, which is constantly working with water power, it is necessary to divert the water flowing into the water mill to another channel. For this reason, another additional ditch was dug about 50 m above the point where the ditch dug along the mountainside turned towards the mill. A dam was placed at the mouth of the additional ditch, which was secured with a special flat board. There were special cavities where the board could be replaced.
The article examines in detail the previous studies and photos of the mill, which served as a basis for the research work. A two-room special residential house for the miller was also built. Both the water mill and the house are now abandoned and empty. After all, many special factories for producing flour from grain have been built in our country, and they are powered by electricity, that is, they do not use water power. We assume that household appliances for grinding and grinding are present in every house.
In addition, some geographical features of the region that is the object of the study, manifestations of Kazakh beliefs and the results of folk practices are reflected in the article. The article is useful for researchers of Kazakh history, ethnography and culture.
