Ancient Iron-Smelting Site “East Hungai” on Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal, Russia): Rock-Magnetic Approach to Archaeological Problems

Rock-magnetic techniques were used to examine topsoil layer over the “East Hungai” archaeological site on Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal, Siberia) in an effort to determine the possible sources of magnetic anomalies associated with iron smelting activity at about the BC/AD boundary. Measurements of surface and subsurface magnetic susceptibility and laboratory measurements of hysteretic parameters have shown a magnetic heterogenity of strata resulted from the interaction of two factors: the initial differentiation of the bedrock source material and the high intensity of the sedimentary process that contributed to significant desintegration of bedrock and to easy transporting of the disintegrated products. Because bedrock on the east and west sides of the valley are different, the distribution of magnetic susceptibility over the excavation area is rather complex. Nevertheless, susceptibility anomalies corresponding to ore preparation and ore storage zones could be recognized. Most likely East Hungai site was used during prospecting works and trial iron smelting in promising places, which testifies the remarkable activity of ancient metallurgists on the western shore of Lake Baikal

Keywords: Rock-magnetic study, topsoil, magnetic susceptibility, ancient iron smelting, Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal