The Techniques of Modeling and Decorating Upper Paleolithic Anthropomorphic Figurines from Malta, Eastern Siberia

The Techniques of Modeling
and Decorating Upper Paleolithic Anthropomorphic Figurines
from Malta, Eastern Siberia

DOI: 10.17746/1563-0110.2017.45.3.048-055

L.V. Lbova^{1, 2}, P.V. Volkov^{1, 2}, E.N. Bocharova², V.S. Kovalev², and N.A. Khaykunova^3
1Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
²Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova 1, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
³State Historical Museum, Krasnaya pl. 1, Moscow, 109012, Russia

We present the results of a microscopic analysis of anthropomorphic figurines from Malta, southeastern Siberia. The bulk of the collection comprises “classical” specimens unearthed by M.M. Gerasimov in 1928–1958. Recent studies by G.I. Medvedev and others in Irkutsk focused on the chronology, microstratigraphy, and cultural subdivision of the deposits. The an alysis of the figurines excavated by Gerasimov has revealed the manufacturing sequence, as well as modeling and decoration techniques. The process included the primary processing of mammoth ivory, preparation of a blank with key elements being marked, final modeling, and decoration. At each stage, specific tools were used. Especial attention is paid to decorative elements: patterns, engraving, rendition of clothing and accessories, and painting. Tools included planing-knives, scrapers, cutters, burins, and reamers. The decoration process was subject to a certain canon, which concerned key elements of design, their combination, and choice of the decorated area. One of the most intriguing facts about the decoration of Malta figurines is that in certain instances, traces of several pigments such as scarlet, green, and blue were revealed.

Keywords: Siberia, Malta, Upper Paleolithic, anthropomorphic figurines, ivory processing, decoration.