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DEcoDingEurAsiAnNomadicNetWoRKs:
An Integration of social and scientific approaches MichaelDFrachettiDepartmentofAnthropologyWashingtonUniversityinStLouis
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The subject object of Anthropological Research…
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Eurasian Steppe Eurasian Steppe Zone Study Zone: Koksu r. valley
(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
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What shapes the lives and interactions of nomads?
Michael D. Frachetti The Nomadic Paradigm Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 What shapes the lives and interactions of nomads? Tuareg nomad – North Africa Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07
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Afghani Nomads The Marginal Nomad Michael D. Frachetti
Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Afghani Nomads
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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 How are nomadic patterns central to human civilizations? Kazakh Nomadic Camp (Xinjiang) Kazakh Herdsman, Koksu Valley
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The archaeology of nomadic networks
Michael D. Frachetti Presentation Outline Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 The archaeology of nomadic networks A bit about Nomads and Networks… Research Model Archaeo-ecological Survey Archaeological Excavations Material Analysis, GIS modeling Understanding the shape and broader impact of Nomadic Networks
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Routes of the Silk Road 13th c. Silk Road Caravanserai Kyrgyzstan
Michael D. Frachetti Nomads and Networks Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Routes of the Silk Road 13th c. Silk Road Caravanserai Kyrgyzstan (photo MDF)
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The shape and function of various networks
Michael D. Frachetti Nomads and Networks Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 The shape and function of various networks Network Geography of the World Wide Web Network Model for Nomadic interaction Nomads use strategic mobility to gain resource diversity, avoid risk… Nomads do not roam aimlessly – their territories are defined by significant locales that act as centers for redistribution, information exchange, and social interaction… The impact of one interaction has intended and unintended “ripple” effects throughout the network… bringing about social and cultural change. Human Neural network Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07
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Nomads and Networks Michael D. Frachetti
Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07
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The Dzhungar Mountains (eastern Kazakhstan)
Michael D. Frachetti Research Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Archaeological Survey Can you see the nomadic network? The Dzhungar Mountains (eastern Kazakhstan) Michael D. Frachetti
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The DMAP is funded by the National Science Foundation
Michael D. Frachetti Research Model Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 The Dzhungar Mountains Archaeology Project Eastern Kazakhstan Kazakh/American team Semirech’ye Region 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
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GIS modeling Excavation Analysis Archaeological Survey Research Model
Michael D. Frachetti Research Model Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 An Integrated Archaeological Methodology Digital Model of the Dzhungar Mountains Archaeological Survey *Mountain & desert landscapes GIS modeling *Environmental reconst. *Modeling pastoral econ. *Remote Sensing Excavation *settlement *burials Analysis *paleo-botany *archaeo-fauna *geo-arch’ *physical anthro Begash settlement excavations
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Research Model Ethnographic Studies Michael D. Frachetti
Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Ethnographic Studies
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Today’s Social Interactions
Michael D. Frachetti Research Model Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Today’s Social Interactions
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July September December Ecology & Environment
Michael D. Frachetti Ecology & Environment Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Pasture quality: Altitude and Seasonality July Lowland zone <25% Seasonal Pasture Dynamics in the Koksu Valley & Dzhungar Mts September *Red & green indicate high yield grass Upland Pastures >75% December
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Settlement Reconstruction at Begash
Michael D. Frachetti Archaeological Survey Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Nomadic Settlements Settlement Reconstruction at Begash Possible Analogy?
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Computer Generated View of the Koksu Valley
Michael D. Frachetti Nomadic Networks Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Pattern of Seasonal Mobility & Nodes of Social Interaction ~4500m Rich Pastures m Koksu River Begash Lowlands < 800m Computer Generated View of the Koksu Valley
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Prehistoric Settlement at Begash (2500BC)
Michael D. Frachetti Archaeological Excavation Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Prehistoric Settlement at Begash (2500BC) 2006 2005 2002
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Michael D. Frachetti Archaeological Excavation Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 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.
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Domestic artifacts and economy at Begash
Michael D. Frachetti Material Analysis Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Domestic artifacts and economy at Begash Archaeofauna (NISP) Sheep/Goat ~63% Cattle ~32% Horse ~5% ** No botanical evidence for agriculture Coarseware Ceramic Vessels Grinding Stones, Pestles, Stone tools Spindle Whorls
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Local and Non-local materials
Michael D. Frachetti Material Analysis Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Local and Non-local materials
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Typological provenience of materials excavated at Begash
Michael D. Frachetti Material Analysis Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Begash Typological provenience of materials excavated at Begash (based on closest analogue)
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Michael D. Frachetti Archaeological Excavation Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Grave robbers at 700 BC! Dr. Marc Meyer (UPenn) excavating the row of metacarpals, meta-tarsals, and kneecaps – neatly lined up …?
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Saka (re) Burial (c. 700 BCE)
Michael D. Frachetti Archaeological Excavation Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Saka (re) Burial (c. 700 BCE) Gold Hair Cinch
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Summer Pastures Interaction Node (e.g. Begash) Node Kosku River Valley
Michael D. Frachetti Nomadic Networks Decoding Eurasian Nomadic Networks – Research Day, Washington U. 01/10/07 Summer Pastures Interaction Node (e.g. Begash) Node Kosku River Valley Node ~20km
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Thank You Support provided by: National Science Foundation
Interested in contributing support to this research? Please contact: Dr. Michael Frachetti, Or visit for project updates Support provided by: National Science Foundation George Dales Foundation Mary Stein Foundation
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