Vanished civilisation hidden treasure theories analysis

Abstract

The research relevance is determined by the substantial potential of the scientific search for information and sources on the life of the Scythians. Since the 18th century, researchers have thoroughly begun to approach the excavation of Scythian mounds in search of legendary treasures. Periodic finds with significant accompanying material memos provide more and more reasons to assert that the Scythian Herrhos, about which Herodotus wrote, really existed, but its location is still a mystery. This study presents the main versions and theories about the hidden treasures of the vanished Scythian civilization. The study involves the analysis of key hypotheses about the location of Scythian treasures and their correlation with objectively possible historical circumstances of their existence and location. The leading approach in the study is the analytical method, alongside synthesis, analogy, induction, deduction, comparative, systemic, and reductionism. As a result, the most common theories about the existence of Scythian treasures were presented, along with arguments confirming or refuting these positions using written evidence and archaeological materials. The study focuses on such an important aspect of Scythian culture as archaeological excavations and their legitimacy. The growing black archaeology issue is most presented in the case of the Scythian mounds, which greatly complicates scientific activity and casts doubt on the authenticity of the materials discovered as a result of excavations of already robbed burials. The materials of the study are of particular value to anyone interested in Scythian culture, including the sphere of scientific interests of historians, archaeologists, geologists, writers, etc. The investigation of the Scythians and their life remains a promising scientific area, which provides for further archaeological excavations, the examination of material and written sources, the analysis of information of various kinds considering cross-cultural studies, based on the area of distribution of finds of the Scythian period