Scientists from the Siberian Federal University conducted a study on iron knives preserved in the Yenisei River Museum in eastern Siberia, and concluded that the blacksmithing traditions of nomadic peoples have lasted for more than a thousand years.
The collection comprises 17 knives with ring-shaped tips, a characteristic feature of the Song Dynasty (2nd century BC – 2nd century AD). These forms disappeared after the dissolution of the nomadic confederation, but the tradition persisted into the 11th and 14th centuries in the Yenisei taiga (forest). The knives vary in shape and size and show signs of fire and oxidation, suggesting they were taken from tombs. Some knives have a curve at the handle for improved balance.
Polina Centorosova, senior researcher at the Yenisei Archaeology Laboratory, commented: "These knives show that metalworking techniques can outlast political structures, across several generations."
This discovery was made possible thanks to the museum's archives, where researchers digitized the materials and reconstructed the history of the knife collection, allowing them to trace the evolution of knife shapes from the Soninke period to the Middle Ages. The collection has become a tool for dating other discoveries in the region and demonstrates a long-standing technological continuity.
The Sun were a nomadic confederation of Central Asian tribes that originated in the third century BCE. Researchers noted that the knives demonstrate a cultural heritage, showing how local communities adapted the techniques for daily life. No similar artifacts were found in neighboring regions, suggesting a limited geographical spread of the traditions.
The Yenisei region has become a model of long-term continuity , preserving the traditions of nomadic craftsmen for over a thousand years. The knives are characterized by their high carbon content and feature decorations that may indicate the owner or workshop. The collection has been recognized as one of the largest and most informative in Siberia, revealing the daily practices of artisans along the Yenisei River.
