Researchers have made an extraordinary archaeological discovery in Russia, uncovering the remains of four Amazons, the legendary warrior women of ancient Greece, within a single tomb. This significant find offers fresh insights into the lives and customs of these formidable warriors, providing a fascinating glimpse into a captivating chapter of history.
The Tomb Discovery
In a tomb constructed from clay and oak blocks, researchers found the skeletons of four women. The youngest was estimated to be between 12 and 13 years old, while the others were aged 20 to 29, 25 to 35, and 45 to 50 years old, respectively.
Amazons and Scythians
The Amazons were part of the Scythian culture, a group of nomadic warrior tribes that roamed across Siberia between 200 and 900 BC. Much like the fierce warriors depicted in the “Wonder Woman” film, these women were celebrated for their martial skills and lived among other nomadic tribes in Eastern Europe.
Items Unearthed
The artifacts found within the tomb have enabled researchers to date the burial to the 4th century BC. Among the recovered items were iron arrowheads, a bird-shaped iron hook, horse harnesses, hooks, iron knives, animal bones, molded vessels, and a broken black lacquer vase with a red palmette design.
Excavations and Burial Customs
The Young Warrior
One of the young women was buried following the “horseman” tradition, which involved cutting the tendons in her legs. Her grave goods included a bronze mirror, two spears, a glass bead bracelet, and two vessels, indicating her status as a warrior.
The Older Women
The graves of the other young woman and the older woman remained undisturbed, with their bodies reclining on wooden beds covered in grass. The oldest woman was notably buried wearing a ceremonial calathos headdress, adorned with floral ornamented plates and shaped pendants.
The Oldest Woman’s Treasures
The oldest woman’s jewelry was an alloy containing 65% to 70% gold, mixed with copper, silver, and iron. She was also buried with an iron knife wrapped in fabric and a rare iron arrowhead with a forked end. The headdress is a particularly unique find, as few have survived to be uncovered by archaeologists.
Devitsa V Cemetery
The remains were discovered in the Devitsa V cemetery, a site comprising 19 mounds in the Voronezh region of Russia, which has been studied since 2010. This year, the Don Archaeological Expedition from the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences excavated the tomb containing the four women.
Conclusion
This remarkable discovery of the Amazon tomb further solidifies the existence of these legendary warrior women among the nomadic tribes of Eastern Europe. The well-preserved artifacts and unique burial customs provide invaluable insights into the lives and status of these Scythian warriors, enriching our understanding of ancient history.
“The Amazons are a common Scythian phenomenon, and during the last decade, our expedition has discovered approximately 11 burials of young armed women,” said Valerii Guliaev, head of the Don expedition. “Separate barrows were filled for them, and all burial rites which were usually made for men were done for them.”
