SKIS IN THE CULTURE OF NORTHERN EURASIAN PEOPLES

Abstract

The article deals with the history of the skis origin and its role in the everyday life of the Northern Eurasian peoples on the basis of archaeological data and written sources. The skis have a rich history. The archaeological findings show that they were invented thousands of years ago. Scientists have found ancient cave paintings depicting skiers and specimens of ancient skis in different regions of Northern Eurasia. At that time skis were a working tool which allowed people to survive harsh environmental conditions. Later the function of skis changed, so skiing appeared. The importance of skiing skill can be confirmed by the fact that the image of skis has been reflected in the culture: in the popular epos, literature and the fine arts. Skis had a discrete role in the Scandinavian region, that is why in the culture of these peoples there were Gods of skiing. Consequently, the objectives of the research are the examination of skiing history, the discovery of reasons for skis’ invention, the analysis of mythology and chronicles.