Abstract:

In Gokturk Period (Ancient Turks) among jewellery, the earrings were the most popular ones. However, these earrings need to be studied in details. In this respect the aim of this study is to give information about these earrings, which have a very important place among Gokturk Period jewellery, from the point of their form, type and adornment. Within this context not only are mentioned the earrings which were derieved as archaeological material but also their representations of figures on frecoes, stone statues, etc. are tried to be dealed. Wearing earrings were common tradition among both men and women in Gokturk Period (Ancient Turks). Evidences of this tradition can be found not only as earrings among archaeological findings at graves, but can be also found on especially male warrior representations on wall paintings, stone statues and etc. These earrings can be in the round form and except from these, some of them can have spherical or drop shaped pendants. The aim of our study is to take attention on these earrings, which were spread on a vast areas such as Mongolia, Hakasia, Russia, Kazahstan, Kirgizistan, Minusinsk Basin, Altai and etc., for they complete an important chain ring of art of Ancient Turks. Considering the exclusive status of these earrings among Gokturk Period (Ancient Turks) art, a study for classification was tried to be prepared. During this classification, form and pendant of the earrings are considered, while the type was determined according to properties of beads and pendants. In this respect seven group and eleven type were identified. The grouping is as following: Group I. Earrings with long pendant; Group II. Earrings with short pendant; Group III. Ring shaped Earrings; Group IV. Earrings without pendants (Earrings that lost their pendants); Group V; Lyre shaped Earrings; Group VI. Figured Earrings; Group VII. “S” Shaped Earrings. At this point, it is useful to indicate that to express our study better, we prepared some tables. The earrings of Gokturk Period mostly made of gold, silver or bronze. Due to the last investigations, it is possible to say that some of the earrings were made of gunmetal in Middle Ages. In the woman graves, mostly silver or bronze earrings were derieved. Generally these were manufactured by casting and they have bead pendants; sometimes these pendants have frit adornement. The earrings which were derieved from woman graves, usually found in pairs however these pairs can be different from each other. For example, while one of them can be much more elegant and have stem-pendant the other can be without pendant. The earrings which were found from man graves and have bead pendants, generally look like the representations of earrings on stone statues and wall paintings of Gokturk Period. It is important to mark that these earrings which were found in-situ, except from their funcitonal mission, carry some symbolical meannings. For example, they show the status of their owner; warriors earrings must be deal with the courage and faith.

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