Vanishing iron-smelting furnaces of the South Eastern Altai, Russia - Evidences for highly developed metallurgical production of ancient nomads

Generally, high concentration of furnaces near the Kuektanar mouth and in the Turgun valley was determined by wide spreading of forest vegetation in an area and close location of ore occurrences. Intensive timber consumption by nomadic societies together with the progressive aridity intensification led to total deforestation of the eastern part of the Chuya depression.