M. N. Mikheev Institute of Metal Physics, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia
B. A. Gizhevskiy, Cand. Phys.-Math., Senior Researcher, e-mail: gizhevskii@imp.uran.ru
M. V. Degtyarev, Dr. Eng., Chief Researcher, e-mail: highpress@imp.uran.ru
S. V. Naumov, Cand. Phys.-Math., Senior Researcher, e-mail: naumov@imp.uran.ru
K. Yu. Karamyshev, Junior Researcher, e-mail: karamyshev.imp@mail.ru

The Mansi (Voguls) are one of the most ancient indigenous peoples of the Urals, and the study and preservation of Mansi historical cultural artifacts is a topical issue for a wide range of researchers in various fields. However, metallographic studies of Mansi hunting and labor tools have not been conducted to date. This work is aimed at clarifying the metallographic characteristics of historical Mansi iron and steel artifacts found in the northern regions of the Sverdlovsk region. The phase and elemental composition, including surface corrosion layers, microstructure, hardness were determined, the nature of defects and slag inclusions in the metal of Mansi arrowheads and spears was established. The complex of metallographic data obtained allows us to conclude that the metal of the studied Mansi artifacts was obtained using various technologies and the source of ore for them were various iron ore deposits, including those located outside the Urals. It is shown that the Mansi used not only soft iron in their everyday life, but also steel products, as well as copper. The data obtained contribute to a more complete attribution of Mansi artifacts and understanding of the level of technological development of the Mansi, and also contribute to the correct comparison of Mansi hunting tools with similar products of related peoples. The work is an interdisciplinary study and can be attributed to the areas of archaeometalloscience, archaeometallurgy.

The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation for the Institute of Metal Physics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The authors thank the head of the Metallurg-City Management Company D. Yu. Kireev for his constant attention and support of the study and A. P. Zykov for fruitful discussions.

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