Disappearance of Crenelation of the Hourse’s Mane in the Eastern Eurasian Steppes of the 2nd Century B.C.

Abstract

On a number of reliefs, sculptures and wall paintings in ancient Eurasia, there occur representations of horses with crenelated manes. These represents a characteristic way of trimming of the horse’s mane, which leaves the hair uncut at one, two or three places. This was “crenelation” by Otto Manchen Helfen. This paper focuses on this Way of trimming in the eastern Eurasian steppes.Some archaeological remains of the eastern Eurasian steppessuggest that crenelation of the horse’s rnane was widely distributed before the 2nd century B. C. However, it is clear that crenelation disappeared in the 2nd century B. C. as there are no materials of that period showing the existence of crenelated mane, while there and are representations of horses without crenelated manes. The author believes that the disappearance of crenelation is a very important fact to consider when reconstructing the history of the eastern Eurasian steppes.It seems that disappearance of crenelation occurred simultaneously with the following phenomena in the eastern Eurasian steppes of Znd-lst centuries B. C.: 1. Appearance of a composite bow covered with bone laths at the grip and ears, which was longer and more powerful than that of before the 2nd century B. C.2. Appearance of copper cauldrons cast in a multi-piece mold, a casting method different from that of before the 2nd century B. C. These cauldrons were usually buried with a dead person, a custom is not confirmed before this time.3. Disappearance of the motif of an animal whose hindquarters are twisted 180 degrees.The author considers the disappearance of crenelation to be related to these phenomena. It is possible to say that changes dated to the 2nd century B. C. are related to rise of the Xiongnu and the subsequent unification of nomadic tribes in the eastern Eurasian steppes. Therefore, the disappearance of crenelation is very a useful fact to consider when reconstructing the early history of the Xiongnu, a period for which there are few material remains.