2,800-year-old burial mound with sacrifices unearthed in Siberia is eerily similar to Scythian graves
A 2,800-year-old burial mound uncovered in southern Siberia, in the Republic of Tuva, resembles Scythian graves profoundly in its sacrificial elements. The mound, known as a kurgan, marks a transitional period between the Bronze and Iron Ages and appears tied to a culture closely linked with the enigmatic Scythians, according to a recent study in the journal Antiquity. This site, containing the remains of an elite individual entombed alongside at least one human sacrifice and 18 sacrificed horses, indicates early practices akin to Scythian burial traditions that endured for centuries.
Artefacts found at the site, including horse-riding equipment and animal-adorned decorations, suggest a cultural resemblance to Scythian societies which evolved miles away. Interestingly, brass bits were discovered still lodged in the horses' teeth; also found were the remains of a woman, likely a sacrificial victim.
Despite the Scythians' rich cultural expressions—known for equestrian pursuits, animal art, and ritual sacrifices—no written records exist. Instead, much is known through those who encountered them, such as the Greek historian Herodotus. Herodotus spoke of opulent burial rituals, wherein many horses and servants were sacrificed to honor Scythian royalty, and described how the deceased horses and humans were positioned around the kurgan to simulate protection.
Herodotus alleged that the Scythians were driven westward from Asia by adversaries, but differing origin theories persist among scholars. Genetic studies reveal their diverse ancestry, including Siberian, East Asian, and Eurasian roots, yet how Scythian culture came uniquely together remains a debated topic. Gino Caspari, the study's senior author from the University of Bern, acknowledged that despite their longstanding intrigue, the origins of the Scythians are obscured within the remote expanses of Eurasian steppe lands.
The research team embarked on the uncovering of the easternmost Scythian-like kurgan, nestled within the "Siberian Valley of the Kings," a cemetery with thousands of mounds. Radiocarbon dating traces this kurgan back to the late ninth century B.C., identifying it as one of the earliest to display Scythian burial traits—a heritage potentially stretching over centuries. Such findings offer priceless glimpses into an ancient cultural enigma, fulfilling the childhood dreams of archaeologists.
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