Treasures of the Scythian era: archaeologists in Zaporizhzhia region find unique golden jewelry of a priestess (photo)
In the Zaporizhzhia region, near the village of Velyka Znamianka, archaeologists have found unique Scythian jewelry - earrings depicting a goddess. This find dates back to 350-325 BC.
The artifact was reported on the Facebook page of the National Museum of History of Ukraine. The excavations were carried out by an expedition of the Institute of Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in 1982 under the leadership of Yurii Rassamakin and Vitalii Otroshchenko.
The earrings, along with other finds, are now kept in the museum's Treasury collection. According to researchers, the earrings belonged to a young Scythian woman aged 20-23. During the excavations, a golden hryvnia, an opaque glass necklace, and weapons such as arrows and a spear were also found in the burial site. In addition, next to the woman were the remains of a maid who probably accompanied her to the afterlife.
Scientists suggest that this young woman could have been a priestess of the goddess Argimpasa, who was the patroness of the Scythian kings and symbolized love and fertility.
The jewelry impresses with its high craftsmanship. The earrings are equipped with a pendant consisting of two plates with a wire shackle between them. The front side depicts a goddess sitting on a throne decorated with fertility symbols - sphinxes and rams.
This discovery is not only an important proof of the high level of Scythian jewelry art, but also contributes to a better understanding of their culture and religious beliefs.
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