Scythian Rider’s Burial at Syniukha River

Abstract

In 1978, the Expedition of Kirovohrad Local Lore Museum conducted the research at the Scythian mound 32 near Vilshanka Settlement. A Scythian rider’s burial in the pit was discovered under the mound of 1,5 m height and 30 m diameter. The warrior laid on coat of mail armour. He was put together with spears and a quiver set, offering food, and also a horse’s head in bridle. The burial is dated by the 5th century BC. Such dating is confirmed by a set of the Middle Scythian bridle and the 5th and 4th century spears. There are also parallels of the 5th century in various features of funeral customs. The analysis of funeral customs testifies that the dead belonged to the Steppe Iranian-speaking community. Such funeral structures are found in the Steppe and on its borders, in the south of Forest-Steppe, and they are close to catacombs. Burials made on laid protective armour with offering food are typical for this region. There is no handmade ceramics in the burial typical for Forest-Steppe tombs. The premises allow considering the burial discussed as the one belonging to a nomadic Steppe Scythian.