Archaeology shock: Ancient skeleton and gold found buried in Siberia’s ‘Valley of Kings’
The incredible archaeological discovery was made by a team of Polish researchers on the Southern Siberian Steppe. This barren part of the Russian Federation is known as the “Siberian Valley of the Kings” thanks to mysterious structures dotting its landscape.
Ancient mounds raised from the ground by a long-lost civilisation, known as kurgan barrows, give a hint as to what lies beneath the soil. Archaeologists from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków made their discovery at the Chinge Tey dig where nine of these kurgans were built in a row.
According to lead archaeologist Dr Łukasz Oleszczak, the Scythian remains date back at least 2,500 years.
He told the Polish Press Agency (PAP): “Inside was the skeleton of a fully equipped young warrior.
“Near the skull of the deceased, there were decorations: a gold sheet pectoral, a glass bead, a gold spiral braid ornament.”
Alongside the warrior’s skeletal remains, the archaeologists have found many of his weapons.
These included an ice axe stylised into the shape of an eagle, an iron dagger, bow fragments and arrows.
Dr Oleszczak added: “Objects made out of organic materials have also been well preserved.
“Among them is a leather quiver, arrow shaft, ice axe shaft and a belt strap.”
The Scythians were an ancient nomadic people who thrived between the 11th century BC and 2nd century AD to the east of the Roman Empire. Scythia covered much of what is today’s Siberia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and even touched upon China.
The Scythians were known for their warmongering practices, as demonstrated by the contents of their burial sites.
Unfortunately, many of the Scythian artefacts buried across Siberia are at risk of disappearing thanks to looters.
According to Dr Oleszczak, the first of two barrows found in Chinge Tey was robbed before the archaeologists uncovered them.
The archaeologists did, however, discover partially preserved bones and an arrowhead.
The researchers will analyse the second kurgan barrow for its contents next year.
The main discovery, however, was made in a third kurgan nearby.
Dr Oleszczak said: “For our research, we chose an inconspicuous, almost invisible kurgan with a diameter of about 25m.
“We had hoped it had remained unnoticed by robbers.”
The Polish archaeologists have joined an international team of researchers at Chinge Tey.
Their discovery comes after another team of archaeologists in Poland found the site of an unusual settlement from 2,500 years ago.
Archaeologists in northern Poland have also two neolithic structures predating the Great Pyramid of Giza by 2,000 years.
Researchers have also found signs of cannibalistic rituals at an ancient burial site in Poland’s Kuyavian-Pomeranian region.