Представлено історіографічний огляд вивчення металевих навершь VII—IV ст. до н. е. як однієї з найбільш своєрідних категорій, пов’язаних
з племенами Східної та Центральної Європи
скіфського часу. Виділяються основні періоди дослідження: перший (1850—1940-ві рр.), другий (1950—1980-ті рр.) і третій (з 1990-х рр. до сьогодення).
Metal pole-tops of the 7th—4th centuries BC is one of
the most wander materials associated with the tribes
of the Eastern and Central Europe of the Scythian
Age. However, opinions on their function are diverse.
Now the pole-tops have a rather general name reflecting
the purpose of these objects only approximately.
Nevertheless, the study of these artifacts allow us to
distinguish three periods: the first (1850—1940s), the
second (1950—1980s) and the third (from the 1990s to
the present).
The first period (1950—1980s) begins with the excavations
by I. E. Zabelin of steppe aristocratic barrows.
In such barrows as Krasnokutsky, Slonovskaya
Bliznitsa, Chertomlyk, a lot of Scythian pole-tops have
been discovered. Thanks to localization of the finds in
the burials I. E. Zabelin was able to suggest the function
of these objects. He believed that the pole-tops
could be the decoration of carts, nomadic tents on a
chariot.
The period is associated with the works of A. S. Lappo-
Danilevsky, E. Minns, I. I. Tolstoy and N. P. Kondakov,
J. Hampel, P. Reinicke, L. Marton et al. The result
was summed up in the research of M. I. Rostovtsev. He
supports the idea of a funerary vehicle and connects
the origin of the finds with Hittite and Assyrian art,
Transcaucasian tombs.
In the second period (1950—1980s) there is a noticeable
intensity of research on Scythian pole-tops, systematization
of artifacts and the use of new approaches
to the study. The typology proposed at this time is
still used in research now. Almost all finds known at
the end of the 70s were systematized in the paper by
E. V. Perevodchikova. Different approaches were used
in order to interpret the meaning of the pole-tops: as a
part of the drawbar of a chariot (V. V. Shleev), shamanic
musical instruments (K. Bakai), as the embodiment
of the idea of a world tree which marks the ritual space
(E. V. Perevodchikova, D. S. Raevsky). V. A. Ilyinskaya
considered these artifacts to be multifunctional.
The study of the chemical composition of the metal by
T. B. Bartseva is important, since it demonstrates the
existence of several production centers and sheds light
on the origin of the finds.
In the third period (from the 1990s to the present)
the issue of the functional purpose and origin of the
Scythian pole-tops was clarified. The scholars consider
them the indicators, marking the arrival of Scythians
in North Caucasus and North Pontic region (V. I. Klochko,
V. Yu. Murzin, A. Yu. Alekseev, S. A. Skory,
D. S. Grechko). T. V. Ryabkova connects the origin of
the spherical pole-tops with the eastern territories considering
these finds to be purely nomadic. N. L. Chlenova,
M. M. Pogrebova, M. Castelluccia, R. Dan lead the
line of origin of Scythian pole-tops from the rattles of
Iran and Transcaucasia.
The study of the technology of making bronze finds
and their designs shows that they were cast on a lost
wax model or in bivalve molds. In the interpretation of
the function of Scythian pole-tops in the period of the
1990s—2010s the researchers depending on the context
of discovery correlate these objects from burials
with carts (Yu. V. Boltryk) or wooden poles that limited
the ritual space for sacrifices (A. R. Kantorovich,
V. R. Erlikh). H. Parzinger and S. Hasanov associate
their use with shamanism.
Thus, the history of the study of Scythian pole-tops
made it possible to highlight topical issues. These are
the origin and function, improvement of typology using
new methods, clarification of chronology, correlation of
the distribution of finds with key events in history in
Eastern and Central Europe during the Scythian Age.
