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Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

well with the approximate date which was reached through Si-hia writing, since
the same human form is fairly frequent in the rock-drawings of the Jenissei (42),
which nevertheless are earlier than our group by several centuries (VII-VIII
century).

We find Si-hia inscriptions once again on the two examples of " bell-shaped
cash " (one represented Plate XLI. no. 8) nearly entirely lacking in patina. This
money was used in the T'ang period (43). It has been altered into a flattened
pendant with a square handle, and remains fairly thick. Only an inscription
decorates the surface.

The bases by which objects with Si-hia inscriptions may be dated have been
given by W. Baruch in Chapter V. This date has been confirmed by the ornaments
themselves, and to a certain extent, by the condition of their surfaces. The
relative certainty with which we may place this group of objects in the beginning
of the II millennium considerably supports the hypothetical structure of dates
which we are using in our study.

d) Sickles.

The sickle is of frequent use all over the circle of the Steppes. We have a
detailed monograph on this object by Tallgren (44) who points out that the chief
Siberian characteristic is formed by the handle which follows uninterruptedly
the curve of this implement (45). The well known publications on Minussinsk
give some idea of the frequent appearence of this object there (46).

At the northern Chinese frontier the decoration is found on only one side
of the sickle (Plate XLII no. 1). It is composed of a thin band of oblique ridges
which follow the line of the framed back, and of oblique ridges which move in
the opposite direction on the blade. A narrow section remains plain and serves
as handle. Tallgren has found in different regions of the Steppes, sickles that are
ridged, but only in the direction of the blade (47). Our example is probably
not for use, but is a symbolic object. Referring once more to the opinion of
Tallgren, he considers that sickles from the Ukraine had a monetary or weight
value (48). Comparitively, we lack guiding-marks for the date. It should be
looked for in about the middle of the I millennium.


NOTES OF CHAPTER IX