In the permafrost of the Altai Mountains, researchers have discovered a collection of fox-fur ritual belts adorned with carved bone pendants. The belts were part of a ceremonial burial of gear used in the Festival of the Winter-Departure, a nomadic tradition designed to protect livestock during the transition from the harsh Siberian cold to the spring thaw.
The pendants depict stylized scenes of foxes chasing away shadows, which researchers interpret as a symbolic representation of the lengthening days. This discovery bridges the gap between ancient nomadic folklore and the archaeological record of seasonal transitions in Central Asia.