Ancient Burial Mound in Siberia Discovered With Evidence of Human Sacrifice: Study

A 2,800-year-old Scythian-like burial mound unearthed in Siberia reveals early sacrificial traditions with human and horse remains.

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 14 October 2024 15:00 IST

Ancient Burial Mound in Siberia Discovered With Evidence of Human Sacrifice: Study

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Bjørn Kamfjord

An ancient Scythian-like burial mound in Siberia dates back to the ninth century B.C.

Highlights

Scythian-like burial mound found in Siberia dating to 9th century B.C.
Human and horse sacrifices indicate early Scythian burial traditions.
Oldest known mound to show Scythian-like ritual practices.

A 2,800-year-old burial mound has been uncovered in southern Siberia, offering new insights into ancient burial practices. The site, found in Tuva, includes the remains of an elite individual buried with a sacrificed human and 18 horses. Archaeologists have linked these findings to early Scythian burial traditions. These nomadic people were known for their elaborate rituals, often involving sacrifices to honour their dead. This discovery is one of the earliest examples of such practices, dating to the transition between the Bronze and Iron Ages.

Scythian-Like Burial Traditions

The burial mound, or kurgan, is significant due to its early connection to Scythian customs. Found in the "Siberian Valley of the Kings," the site contains artefacts related to horse riding, as well as animal-themed decorations. Some of the horses found still had brass bits in their mouths, providing evidence of their use in Scythian life.

The presence of these items suggests that the Scythian culture, which spread westward in later centuries, may have originated from this region, as per the study published in the journal Antiquity.

[Sponsored] Samsung Galaxy S24: The Ultimate Camera Phone With Smarter On-Device AI

Human and Horse Sacrifices

Sacrificial practices appear to have been an integral part of this burial, with both human and horse remains found at the site. The researchers identified the remains of a woman, believed to have been sacrificed as part of the burial ritual.

The horses were likely killed and buried alongside the dead elite to accompany them into the afterlife. These discoveries echo descriptions by ancient historians like Herodotus, who wrote about the Scythian practice of sacrificing animals and servants for their royalty.

Insights from Archaeologists

The study was led by Gino Caspari, an archaeologist at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Caspari and his team believe this discovery provides crucial evidence about the early origins of Scythian culture. Through radiocarbon dating, they determined that the burial dates back to the late ninth century B.C., making it one of the earliest examples of such rituals found to date.

Discover who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry!

Solar Storm May Cause Auroras and Power Grid Disruptions

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.