Pages: 287-299 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp255287299

The authors consider the probability of Cuman camps existing in the forest-steppe strip of the Central Russian Upland, using the presence of stone sculptures as an indicator. They analyze the origin (of the local finds and the ones brought in the 19th century from the southern steppes) and the typology of sculptures exhibited in the museums of the region and known from historiography. Stone sculptures not previously included in the datasets are offered for scientific discussion, and information about some previously published sculptures is clarified. The authors question the origin of the pseudo-sculptures exhibited in museums as Cuman statues (“baba”): in fact, these are natural formations of travertine sandstone and the later mystifications made from it. The main conclusion: seasonal migrations of the Cumans were limited to the steppe spaces, while they explored the forest-steppe territory and the southern border of the forest zone only for their raids.

Keywords: Central Russian Upland, Cumans, resettlemen

Information about authors:

Arthur Chubur (Bryansk, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. “Bryansk Archaeology Service” Ltd. Duki St., 4-33, 241050, Bryansk, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-1182-5860
Valerii Guryanov (Bryansk, Russian Federation). “Bryansk Archaeology Service” Ltd. Duki St., 4-33, 241050, Bryansk, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-8559-5012