As its name indicates, the Spanish Cape of Finisterre (finis terrae) was considered in Antiquity as the westernmost limit of the known world. But where was the eastern border located at that time? It was Alexander the Great who, in 329 BCE, established this boundary—at least in its northernmost part—of the Greco-Roman world, which remained […]
Scythians
18 Horses Found in an Iron Age Tomb in Siberia Reveal the Possible Origin of Scythians
A team of archaeologists has discovered evidence of funerary rituals involving sacrifices at the burial mound of Tunnug 1, located in the Republic of Tuva, southern Siberia. This finding suggests that the Scythians, primarily known for their presence in Eastern Europe, may have originated much further east than previously thought. The Scythians, a nomadic people […]
The Story of the Tiara of Saitaferne, a Fake Scythian Artifact that Became a Work of Art
On April 1, 1896, the Louvre Museum proudly announced the acquisition of a magnificent piece, a recently discovered gold tiara on the Crimean Peninsula in perfect condition, dating back to the late 3rd century B.C. On the advice of Albert Kaempfen, director of the National Museums of France, the Louvre had paid a considerable amount […]
Finding of Human Skin on Quivers and Other Scythian Objects Confirms Herodotus’ Claims
Herodotus, the Greek historian of the 5th century BC, described in his writings various customs of the Scythians, a nomadic people who inhabited the Eurasian steppe between the 8th and 4th centuries BC. This included practices such as drinking the blood of their enemies and using human scalps as trophies. Among these, he mentioned the […]