Tashtyk

The Tashtyk culture succeeded the Tagar culture along the Yenisey River, flourishing from the 1st to the 4th century CE. The Tashtyk people are known for their preserved masks, some of which are modeled or cast from the deceased. These masks, painted in blue, red, and green against a yellow background, often depict facial features and may represent tattoos on the forehead, temples, and cheeks.1

While their animal motifs retained a Scytho-Altaic style, the Tashtyk community was significantly influenced by China, even in their architecture. Discoveries include a house made of beaten clay in the Chinese style, with a roof covered in Chinese tiles bearing inscriptions from the Han dynasty.1