How did they die?
Analysis of the body revealed that both the Scythian Chieftain and the Siberian Ice Horseman died from injuries most likely gained in battle. The Scythian Chieftain bore the mark of two oval shapes on his right parietal bone which was likely made by a pick like weapon. An incision made from one ear to the other indicates that he was scalped. But the body discovered has a false scalp sewn on with horsehair. This was most likely done by relatives before his burial. The Siberian Ice Horseman likely died when impaled by an enemy's weapon or an animal's horn. Very little is known about the cause of his death. On the other hand, the Siberian Ice Maiden died by accident or by illness. The Ice Maiden had sustained injuries, that included a fractured skull and dislocated joints, most likely from a fall from her horse. However it is hard to tell if this was the cause of her death as MRI scans have revealed that the Ice Maiden suffered from breast cancer and cannabis was found buried with the body. Cannabis would have been used as an analgesic in this time and may have been the reason for the Ice Maiden's rank.
Analysis of the body revealed that both the Scythian Chieftain and the Siberian Ice Horseman died from injuries most likely gained in battle. The Scythian Chieftain bore the mark of two oval shapes on his right parietal bone which was likely made by a pick like weapon. An incision made from one ear to the other indicates that he was scalped. But the body discovered has a false scalp sewn on with horsehair. This was most likely done by relatives before his burial. The Siberian Ice Horseman likely died when impaled by an enemy's weapon or an animal's horn. Very little is known about the cause of his death. On the other hand, the Siberian Ice Maiden died by accident or by illness. The Ice Maiden had sustained injuries, that included a fractured skull and dislocated joints, most likely from a fall from her horse. However it is hard to tell if this was the cause of her death as MRI scans have revealed that the Ice Maiden suffered from breast cancer and cannabis was found buried with the body. Cannabis would have been used as an analgesic in this time and may have been the reason for the Ice Maiden's rank.
How were they preserved?
The Scythian mummies were preserved in a similar style to that of the Egyptian mummies because they had their innards taken out and preserved separately. However, unlike the Egyptian mummies, the Scythian mummies were not wrapped and were naturally frozen by ice when water flooded the kurgan. The Scythian Chieftain was not very well preserved but the Ice Horseman and the Ice Maiden were well preserved. However, when analysing the body of the Ice Maiden, hot water was poured to melt the ice and poor refrigeration has led to the decay of the body.
What other information can be gathered?
The Scythian Chieftain was around 50-60 years of age when he died; the Ice Horseman and the Ice Maiden were much younger, around 30 and 20, respectively. All the mummies bore elaborate tattoos. The Scythian Chieftain was covered in tattoos and for this reason, it is believed that he was a chieftain. The video below provides some insight into what his tattoos signify.
The Scythian mummies were preserved in a similar style to that of the Egyptian mummies because they had their innards taken out and preserved separately. However, unlike the Egyptian mummies, the Scythian mummies were not wrapped and were naturally frozen by ice when water flooded the kurgan. The Scythian Chieftain was not very well preserved but the Ice Horseman and the Ice Maiden were well preserved. However, when analysing the body of the Ice Maiden, hot water was poured to melt the ice and poor refrigeration has led to the decay of the body.
What other information can be gathered?
The Scythian Chieftain was around 50-60 years of age when he died; the Ice Horseman and the Ice Maiden were much younger, around 30 and 20, respectively. All the mummies bore elaborate tattoos. The Scythian Chieftain was covered in tattoos and for this reason, it is believed that he was a chieftain. The video below provides some insight into what his tattoos signify.
All sorts of artefacts were recovered along with the body of the Scythian Chieftain including riding gear, saddles, a chariot, musical instruments, jewelry, amulets, tools, an apparatus for inhaling cannabis, rugs, clothing, and, fabrics from Persia and China. Similar artefacts were found along with the bodies of the Ice Maiden and the Ice Horseman which helped establish their possible occupations when they were alive. The Ice Horseman is believed to have been a soldier while there is still some doubt as to the occupation of the Ice Maiden. While at first she was believed to have been a princess due to the artefacts she was buried with, it is now believed she may have been a shaman. The evidence that supports this idea is that the Ice Maiden was found with cannabis which was used to numb the pain of her illness. However, the hallucinations she would have had most likely accorded her the position of shaman as it would have been believed that she was communicating with spirits.
Our exploration of the Scythian mummies is now complete! We have learnt so much about the Scythian mummies and to test how much you know, click the button below!
Our exploration of the Scythian mummies is now complete! We have learnt so much about the Scythian mummies and to test how much you know, click the button below!