2014/06/01 by Natalia Shishlina, Dmitry Kovalev, E.R. Ibragimova · 4 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies #Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology #Steppe #Geography #Archaeology #History
paper · doi:10.1017/s0003598x00101061
openalex publication_date 2014/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/08
The origin and development of wheeled vehicles continues to fascinate today no less than when Stuart Piggott (1974) first wrote about the subject in Antiquity 40 years ago. A growing number of examples from the steppes of southern Russia and Ukraine are providing new insights into the design and construction of these complex artefacts. A recent example from the Ulan IV burial mound illustrates the techniques employed and the mastery of materials, with careful selection of the kinds of wood used for the wheels, axles and other elements. Stable isotope analysis of the individual interred in this grave showed that he had travelled widely, emphasising the mobility of steppe populations.