Archeologists studying the area of the well-known Tavdinsky Caves in Altai Republic assume that early people used to perform hunting magic there. Back in 2005 three archeological layers were unearthed in this site giving evidence to the fact that from the Neolithic already it was a cult place. In the course of excavations of 2008 they enriched considerably the collection of finds dating to the Eneolithic, the final stage of Neolithic. The set of tools is represented with numerous scrapers, cutters, and a hatchet.  "The finds are traces of hunting magic, manifestations of which among various Siberian tribes have been registered by ethnographers. According to the natives' old beliefs, during the opening of hunting season the arrowhead with which an animal was killed had to be stuck into the ground in a special place. The aim of the ritual was to prevent depletion of biological resources of the woods" - one of the archeologists explained.

Source: Russia IC (13 October 2008)