Chronology of the Bronze Age Krotovo Site Vengerovo-2, Baraba Forest-Steppe: Archaeology and Radiocarbon Dating
Chronology of the Bronze Age Krotovo Site Vengerovo-2, Baraba Forest-Steppe: Archaeology and Radiocarbon Dating
doi:10.17746/1563-0110.2026.54.2.045-060
V.I. Molodin1, M.S. Nesterova1, L.N. Mylnikova1, P.N. Menshanov2, 3, K.A. Babina1, 2, and E.V. Parkhomchuk1, 2 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 3Novosibirsk State Technical University, Pr. K. Marksa 20, Novosibirsk, 630073, Russia
We present the results of comparing archaeological observations and radiocarbon dating of materials from the Bronze Age settlement Vengerovo-2, Novosibirsk Region—the largest excavated site of the Krotovo culture, with ten dwellings and an extensive space between them. The structure of the site, the architectural uniformity of the dwellings, the stratigraphy and topography, the distribution of artifacts, the homogeneity of the ceramic assemblage, and the repaired walls and fence surrounding the village suggest that the settlement functioned for a short time. A large series of samples was subjected to radiocarbon analysis with Bayesian modeling. The earliest construction date is estimated on the basis of charcoal remains from burned structures (19 samples); and occupation duration, from animal bone samples from undisturbed utility features such as bronze-casting areas and storage pits inside dwellings (28 samples). We also used charcoal from central hearths (4 samples). We conclude that Krotovo people led an intense life in the village for no more than two centuries, from 2000 to 1800 BC, which is consistent with ethnographic evidence about the duration of life at permanent villages.
