Northwest Asia (2,637 – 910 BCE): Bronze…

Northwest Asia (2,637 – 910 BCE): Bronze Age and Early Iron — Andronovo, Karasuk, and Early Nomads

Geographic and Environmental Context

Northwest Asia includes the lands from the Ural Mountains east to ~130°E, encompassing Western and Central Siberia.

• Anchors: Altai–Minusinsk Basin, Middle Yenisei, Ob steppes, Ural forelands.

Climate & Environmental Shifts

• Cooling trend, steppe desiccation in places; taiga remained rich in rivers/fisheries.

Subsistence & Settlement

• Andronovo culture herders (2000–900 BCE): pastoral nomadism with wheeled vehicles, chariots, and dairying.

• Karasuk culture (1500–800 BCE): metallurgy and horse pastoralism in Minusinsk Basin.

• Taiga foragers maintained hunting–fishing traditions.

Technology & Material Culture

• Bronze sickles, daggers, ornaments; iron appears late.

• Petroglyphs show chariots, riders, solar symbols.

Movement & Interaction Corridors

• Steppe corridor tied Ural–Altai to Central Asia and beyond.

• Trade in bronze, horses, and woolens.

Cultural & Symbolic Expressions

• Burial kurgans with horse gear, bronze weapons.

• Rock art integrated solar/celestial motifs.

Environmental Adaptation & Resilience

• Pastoral nomadism flexible across steppe–taiga ecotones; forager–herder exchange maintained resilience.