In China, 3500 years ago skates were made from animal bones.
Ice skating is much more ancient pastime than you can imagine. The first analogues of modern skates with metal blades appeared in the 12th-16th centuries. It is believed that from that moment a modern skating technique arose, but in general people began to skate much earlier. For example, in the late 60s, on the banks of the Southern Bug, not far from Odessa, skates made from horse bones over 3 thousand years old were discovered. They belonged to the Kimerits, a nomadic tribe that lived in the Bronze Age. During recent excavations, scientists discovered the same skates, but this time in China. Their age is about 3500 years.
What were the ancient skates
Skates that people used thousands of years ago were very different from today. Aligned and sharpened bones were used as blades. As a rule, these were the bones of horses. Unlike modern skates, they glided both longitudinally and transversely. However, the cutting edge made it easy to roll on ice.
Of course, there were no shoes with laces in those days. Therefore, something resembling leather moccasins was tied to the blades of bones. Although, most often, archaeologists discover only the bones themselves with holes, without any shoes.
This is what the ancient skates that scientists find in Europe look like
Skates found in Finland are currently considered the most ancient – their age is 5000 years. However, they were not created for fun at all. Scientists suggest that skates helped people overcome long distances on ice in the plains. They could be used not only by travelers, but also by hunters who had to roam a lot in winter.
For example, in Finland, with the help of skates, people could cross huge lakes in winter. Thanks to them, the speed of movement increased. As previous studies have shown, people could move on ice for several hours at an average speed of about 4-5 km / h. As a result, they traveled up to 20 km during daylight hours.
As for skating for fun, it arose as a phenomenon at the same time as metal skates appeared. In particular, in the XII-XVI centuries, people began to draw various figures on people. This was the beginning of such a sport as figure skating.
Replica of ancient skates found in Finland, created for experiments
Archaeological excavations in the valley of the Ili River
The ancient skates in question in a recent study were discovered by archaeologists in the western part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Once there was an ancient settlement and a complex of tombs. Now this object has received the name Goaotai Ruins.
According to researchers, 3600 years ago this area was inhabited by pastoralists, people from the Andronovo culture. The same people in the Late Bronze Age occupied the territories of Central Asia and the Far East.
The discovered complex is one of the best preserved burials of the Bronze Age in Xinjiang and in general in the Eurasian steppe. Scientists suggest that the tombs belonged to a noble family from among the first pastoralists who settled in the Ili River valley.
Ancient ice skates discovered at Ruins of Goaotai in China
During the excavations, which began back in 2015, archaeologists managed to find many different artifacts that told about the funeral rites, beliefs and social aspects of the ancient people. In particular, the researchers concluded that the people worshiped the Sun. In addition, wooden carts were found near the tombs, which were obviously used in the construction of the complex.
Горная местность в долине реки Или, о которой идет речь, также считается родиной лыжного спорта. На древних наскальных рисунках, возраст которых может составлять около 10 тысяч лет, изображены охотники на чем-то, напоминающем лыжи. Хотя некоторые ученые сомневаются в датировании рисунков.
Ancient people in Eurasia made identical skates
The discovered skates are made of straight bones. Holes were made in them at both ends, which allowed them to be tied to shoes. The bone “blade”, as the researchers note, was very blunt, in comparison with modern skates. However, they obviously coped with their task, like the skates found in other places.
Archaeologists discover similar bone skates in different parts of Europe and Asia
According to researchers in the journal Ancient Origins, the skates were made from the bones of bulls and horses. Although they are not the oldest in the world, they are of great importance for science, as they have become the oldest discovered in China.
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But the most interesting thing is that these skates were almost the same as the skates found earlier in Europe. Among other things, they are similar to the items mentioned above, found on the territory of Ukraine and Finland. It is quite possible that the find is another evidence that in ancient times people from the east and west contacted each other and exchanged culture. Finally, we recall that about 5000 years ago, people also mastered horseback riding, which we talked about not so long ago.
