Use of wood in the economy of the ancient population of Gonur Depe (the Bronze Age, Turkmenistan)

Приведены результаты археологического исследования растительных остатков древнего населения Гонур-депе.The article is devoted to the study of the remnants of wood from the excavations of the Bronze Age site Gonur-Depe (Turkmenistan). Gonur-Depe is the capital settlement of Ancient Margiana, located in the desert Kara Kum (South-Eastern Turkmenistan), refers to the Bactrian-Margiana archaeological complex (BMAC). According to radiocarbon datings, the settlement functioned for the time period 2500 -1500 BC. The remains of woody plants (timber, fruits, charcoal), as well as structures and products from wood found in archaeological excavations and surveys aimed at archaeobotanical layer of cultural monuments are a valuable source of historical and paleoecological information. In the materials of archaeological excavations of Gonur-Depe, there are three forms of preservation of wood residues: charcoal, wood conserved by copper salts and decayed wood. Тhe results of our research show that the population of Gonur-Depe widely used wood and wood products. The study of coals showed that the fuel was used, mainly the saxaul (Haloxylon sp.), and shrub forms of glasswort (Salsola sp.), willow (Salix sp.) and tamarisk (Tamarix sp.). The coal collected in the territory of the Palace-temple complex belongs to the tamarisk, saxaul, Calligonum aphyllum (Calligonum sp.), poplar (Populus sp.), maple (most likely the Turkmen maple — Acer turcomanicum), spireantus Shrenk's (Spiraeanthus schrenkianus). Poplar (Populus sp.), Willow (Salix sp.) were used for construction purposes. Products for different purposes (wheel carts, tools, ornaments) made of maple (Acer turcomanicum), elm (Ulmus sp.), Ash (Fraxinus sp.), Willow (Salix sp.), smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria), exochorda ( Exochorda sp.), the chaste tree (Vitex sp.). Part of the wood and products were received from the outside, which confirms the existence of well-established trade relations of the inhabitants of Gonur with the neighbors with varying degrees of remoteness