Detail

In their study, the researchers use paleoproteomics to determine the origin of leather found in 14 different Scythian castles in southern Ukraine. The diversity of sources shows that horse steppe groups had excellent knowledge of leather processing. 45 specimens (including two fur fragments) were found in 18 Scythian graves. Scientists discovered the skin of sheep, goat, horse, cow. But most of all they were surprised by the existence of a human being.

Scythians were a genetically diverse group of nomads in the Eurasian steppes. They “served as a mobile bridge connecting the disparate settled societies of Europe and Asia,” the new paper says. Scythians transferred technology, goods and ideas between continents. The Scythians were described by Herodotus about 2,500 years ago; sometimes drawing on personal experience, but also possibly on hearsay traveling along trade routes from East Asia. He described groups of people who knew “how to shoot from a horse” “one on one” and how cars were “the only shelter they had.”

Herodotus added that their favorite weapon on foot was the battle axe, and archaeological evidence shows that the Scythians admired their horses. As researchers note, Herodotus describes in detail stories of how the Scythians drank the blood of the defeated, used severed heads as barter for loot, and sewed scalps to make clothing. What is important for this line of research is that Herodotus also reported that: “Many took the skin, nails, and everything else from the right hands of their dead enemies, and made of them sheaths for quivers.”.

We now have evidence that at least the second statement is true.

• It was determined that the fur samples were from animals belonging to the red fox, cat and squirrel families.
• The team was unable to determine the taxonomic affiliation of 26% of the samples, but most of these were likely goats (C. hircus).
• While sheepskin came in second (about 19%), other leather sources were roughly equally represented in the samples.
• Two skin samples were taken from a horse, both from humans.

Careful examination of human skin allowed the team to conclude that the fragments were placed on the upper parts of the corresponding quivers. The rest of the quivers are made of animal skin. But even animal skin quivers used a combination of different animals in their creation. The team writes that “each archer made his own quiver using materials available at the time.”

New research continues to change the modern image of the Scythians. They were much more than formidable nomadic warriors. In 2021, another team examined isotopes in tooth enamel from sites across Ukraine to understand the diet and home range of ancient people. These scientists concluded that only a small group of people living in Scythian times led a nomadic lifestyle.