SPECIES ATTRIBUTION OF HAIR OF THE PAZYRYK FUR COAT FROM THE OLON-KURIN-GOL-10 BURIAL GROUND, MONGOLIA (BASED ON MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS)

The analysis of hair from a fur coat found in a Pazyryk burial from Olon-Kurin-Gol-10, the Mongolian Altai, suggests that pelts of various animals were used. Hair from various parts of the coat and from the quiver found at the same burial ground was analyzed both macroscopically and microscopically. The comparison with standard samples of hair from the Zoological Museum of the Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology and with published data indicates that the fur came from sable (Martes zibellina L.), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L.), and sheep (Ovis aries L.). Also, horse (Equus caballus L.) hair was used in the design. Samples from the quiver contained horsehair and that of deer – apparently reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.).