DISCOVERING THE REMAINS
Scythian mummies were found mainly in the Altai mountains, usually buried in a kurgan (type of burial mound) under a layer of permafrost. The three most well-known Scythian mummies found, respectively, are: the Scythian Chieftain, the Siberian Ice Maiden and the Siberian Ice Horseman.
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Scythian Chieftain
The Scythian Chieftain was one of the first Scythian mummies found. His body was found in a Pazyryk kurgan in the Altai mountains by Russian archaeologists. Water had seeped into the kurgan, freezing the body. |
Siberian Ice Maiden
The Siberian Ice Maiden was discovered by Novosibirsk scientist Natalia Polosmak, in 1993. Natalia was on an archaeological expedition to the Ukok Plateau in the Altai mountains. The plateau is a well-known burial ground that is still sacred to the people of Altai. Border guards helped point out a kurgan which Natalia's team spent weeks excavating. Finally, the burial chamber of the body that would be called the Siberian Ice Maiden, was at last revealed. The wooden chamber had been flooded and frozen, preserving the body.
The Siberian Ice Maiden was discovered by Novosibirsk scientist Natalia Polosmak, in 1993. Natalia was on an archaeological expedition to the Ukok Plateau in the Altai mountains. The plateau is a well-known burial ground that is still sacred to the people of Altai. Border guards helped point out a kurgan which Natalia's team spent weeks excavating. Finally, the burial chamber of the body that would be called the Siberian Ice Maiden, was at last revealed. The wooden chamber had been flooded and frozen, preserving the body.
Siberian Ice Horseman
The Siberian Ice Horseman was found not long after the discovery of the Siberian Ice Maiden. In 1995, Vyacheslav Molodin, discovered the body in a Pazyryk burial mound. Just like the other two mummies, he was frozen.
But what do these bodies tell us about the Scythians?
The Siberian Ice Horseman was found not long after the discovery of the Siberian Ice Maiden. In 1995, Vyacheslav Molodin, discovered the body in a Pazyryk burial mound. Just like the other two mummies, he was frozen.
But what do these bodies tell us about the Scythians?