Itkul culture

56°05′24″N 60°18′00″E / 56.090000°N 60.300000°E / 56.090000; 60.300000

The Itkul culture (Russian: Иткульская культура, romanized: Itkulʹskaja kulʹtura, 7th-5th century BCE) is one of the Early Saka cultures, based in the eastern foothills of the Urals. it is possible that in addition to the Saks, the Urals were also inhabited by the Finno-Ugrians. The Itkul culture was part of an East to West movement of Asiatic Saka tribes towards the Ural regions during the Iron Age (c.1000 BCE and later). Other Saka groups, such as the Tasmola culture (circa 600 BCE), were also involved in similar movements and settled in the southern Urals.

The Itkul culture was a culture of metalworkers. They played a key role in exploiting the metallurgical resources of the Urals and established fortified settlements to protect themselves. It is likely they provided weapons to other tribes of the steppes.

The Itkul culture eventually assimilated into the Early Sarmatian culture (early Prokhorovka period) and contributed to its varied genetic makeup. As a result, a large-scale integrated union of nomads from Central Asia and the Near East formed in the area in the 5th–4th century BCE, with fairly uniform cultural practices. This cultural complex, with notable ‘‘foreign elements’’, corresponds to the ‘‘royal’’ burials of the Filippovka kurgans, and define the "Prokhorovka period" of the Early Sarmatians.

• Itkul culture artifacts: 1 to 4-Kuganak hoard 5 to 6-Akberdino 3 settlement 7-Elder Shipovo burial ground 8-Kasianov hillfort (1-4 bronze; 5-8 ceramics)
• Itkul housing reconstruction