Origin of the Alans

[Alanus]

Maral Imanbayeva describes Arimaspian Technology

Thank you, Michael

It's heartening to discover Rudenko's estimate was only 8 years off from the new tree-ring survey at Pazyryk-Ukok. He was among the significant authors, and we must also include Sulimirski, Jettmar, and Maenchen-Helfen. They were knowledgeable and not afraid to mention probabilities-- not always correct but usually close. Today's authors never connect a "culture" to a specific historical "people," perhaps fearing being wrong would hinder advancement.

Yes, it appears that even a low-ranking warrior was buried with his horse (and sufficient food), which he needed to reach his ultimate destination beyond the stars. Here's an early Yuezhi grave with two warriors:

   
The grave was found in Western Mongolia, the surrounding timbers just barely noticeable, and each warrior was provided with a mount... most likely, the same horses they used in life.

There seems to be great respect for the dead; and the "kings" and "queens" appear to be more than just respected, they must have been loved. The time, effort, and intense care taken in these burials shows dedication. (We don't bury a deceased President in this fashion.) In many instances the labor involved in building a large kurgan exceeded the effort to create Stonehenge.

As you mentioned, the Yuezhi apparently lived in log cabins throughout most of the year. Another observation, particularly since the 1990s, is the incredibly advanced technology developed by this easternmost Saka group. In the late 20th century, the famous Pazyryk rug was considered Persian-made. Since then, the rug's material, style, and colors have been analyzed. The dye colors have been located to plants from the Mediterranean to China, showing (once again) the extensive trade conducted by the Yuezhi.

   
The Pazyryk rug (oldest in the world) incorporated dyes obtained through "international" trade.

Then we have Yuezhi metallurgy, perhaps the most advanced in the ancient world. A few years ago, newspaper reporter Maral Imanbayeva interviewed arcaeologists and wrote a "pop" article for The Astana Times (10 Dec., 2012). Her article was obviously translated, yet very informative, "The Greek poet Homer called the Arimaspians the gryphons guarding gold; the Chinese called them Yuezhi. Indeed, the technological masters of the Arimaspians produced gold jewelry through a sophisticated manufacturing process that was lost through the millennia. They could produce a white gold when gold falls on a silver base. Today, we do this through electrolysis."

   
Imanbayeva was referring to this figurine, seamlessly flowing from gold to a white gold base, found at Berel. (3rd to 2nd Century BC)

"The melallurgists could also carry out micro-soldering. Today it can be done only with a magnifying glass and a special device [?]. But 2,400 to 2,300 years ago, the Arimaspians didn't use them, yet still mastered the art of micro-soldering to perfection."

   
The hand-guard and upper blade section of a 4th Century BC akinakes, constructed by welding multiple-- and hand-carved-- iron pieces into its final form. It was then gold-filled.

These are not just "artifacts," they are singular and highly-refined works of art. How advanced was Graeco-Roman metal-working technology at this time? How artistic were they? I don't know. If anyone has information, I'd welcome comments.