DEcoDingEurAsiAnNomadicNetWoRKs:

An Integration of social and scientific approaches 

MichaelDFrachettiDepartmentofAnthropologyWashingtonUniversityinStLouis

The subject object of Anthropological Research…

(Base map produced by the Center for Earth Observation, Yale)

Eurasian Steppe

Study Zone: Koksu r. valley& The Dzhungar Mts.

Russia

Uzbekistan

Turkmenistan

Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan

Eurasian Steppe Zone

What shapes the lives and interactions of nomads?

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07Michael D. Frachetti

The Nomadic Paradigm

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Tuareg nomad – North Africa

Michael D. Frachetti

The Marginal Nomad

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Afghani Nomads

Kazakh Nomadic Camp (Xinjiang) Kazakh Herdsman, Koksu Valley

How are nomadic patterns central to human civilizations?

Michael D. Frachetti

Impact of Nomads

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Michael D. Frachetti

Presentation Outline

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

The archaeology of nomadic networks

1. A bit about Nomads and Networks…2. Research Model

a. Archaeo-ecological Surveyb. Archaeological Excavationsc. Material Analysis, GIS modeling

3. Understanding the shape and broader impact of Nomadic Networks

Routes of the Silk Road

Michael D. Frachetti

Nomads and Networks

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

13th c. Silk Road CaravanseraiKyrgyzstan

(photo MDF)

Network Geography of the World Wide Web

Human Neural network

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07Michael D. Frachetti

Nomads and Networks

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Network Model for Nomadic interaction

1. Nomads use strategic mobility to gain resource diversity, avoid risk…

2. Nomads do not roam aimlessly – their territories are defined by significant locales that act as centers for redistribution, information exchange, and social interaction…

3. The impact of one interaction has intended and unintended “ripple” effects throughout the network… bringing about social and cultural change.

The shape and function of various networks

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07Michael D. Frachetti

Nomads and Networks

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

The Dzhungar Mountains (eastern Kazakhstan)

Archaeological Survey

Michael D. Frachetti Michael D. Frachetti

Research

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Can you see the nomadic network?

Kazakh/American team

Semirech’ye Region

Eastern Kazakhstan

The DMAP is funded by the National Science Foundation Addition support has been provided by the George F. Dales Foundation, and the Mary Stein Foundation

Michael D. Frachetti

Research Model

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

The Dzhungar Mountains Archaeology ProjectThe Dzhungar Mountains Archaeology Project

Digital Model of the Dzhungar Mountains

Begash settlement excavations

Archaeological Survey*Mountain & desert landscapes

Excavation*settlement*burials

Analysis*paleo-botany*archaeo-fauna*geo-arch’*physical anthro

GIS modeling*Environmental reconst.*Modeling pastoral econ.*Remote Sensing

BRI-107

BRI-109

Michael D. Frachetti

Research Model

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

An Integrated Archaeological Methodology

Michael D. Frachetti

Research Model

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Ethnographic Studies

Michael D. Frachetti

Research Model

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Today’s Social Interactions

Michael D. Frachetti

Ecology & Environment

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Pasture quality: Altitude and Seasonality

July

December

September

Seasonal PastureDynamics in the Koksu Valley & Dzhungar Mts

Lowland zone <25%

Upland Pastures >75%

*Red & green indicate high yield grass

Possible Analogy?

Settlement Reconstruction at Begash

Michael D. Frachetti

Archaeological Survey

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Nomadic Settlements

Computer Generated View of the Koksu Valley

Koksu River

Lowlands < 800m

Rich Pastures 1500-2500m

~4500m

Michael D. Frachetti

Nomadic Networks

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Pattern of Seasonal Mobility & Nodes of Social Interaction

Begash

20062005

2002

Michael D. Frachetti

Archaeological Excavation

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Prehistoric Settlement at Begash (2500BC)

From the chronology, materials, and architecture we know the site was used used seasonally and reflects long-term local continuity in the nomadic populations who controlled the area.

Michael D. Frachetti

Archaeological Excavation

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Grinding Stones, Pestles, Stone tools

Spindle Whorls

Coarseware Ceramic Vessels

Archaeofauna (NISP)

Sheep/Goat~63%

Cattle~32%

Horse~5%

** No botanical evidence for agriculture

Michael D. Frachetti

Material Analysis

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Domestic artifacts and economy at Begash

Michael D. Frachetti

Material Analysis

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Local and Non-local materials

Begash

Typological provenience of materials excavated at Begash(based on closest analogue)

Michael D. Frachetti

Material Analysis

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Dr. Marc Meyer (UPenn) excavating the row of metacarpals, meta-tarsals, and kneecaps – neatly lined up …?

Michael D. Frachetti

Archaeological Excavation

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Grave robbers at 700 BC!

Gold Hair Cinch

Michael D. Frachetti

Archaeological Excavation

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Saka (re) Burial (c. 700 BCE)

0 ~20km

InteractionNode (e.g. Begash)

Kosku RiverValley

Michael D. Frachetti

Nomadic Networks

Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07

Summer Pastures

Node

Node

Thank You

Support provided by:Support provided by:•National Science Foundation National Science Foundation •George Dales Foundation George Dales Foundation •Mary Stein FoundationMary Stein Foundation

Interested in contributing Interested in contributing support to this research? support to this research?

Please contact:Please contact:Dr. Michael Frachetti, Dr. Michael Frachetti,

frachetti@wustl.edufrachetti@wustl.eduOr visit www.saie.wustl.edu for Or visit www.saie.wustl.edu for

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