Ancient Siberian Burial Reveals Scythian Cultural Roots

A 2,800-year-old tomb in Tuva, Siberia, suggests that the Scythian culture originated further east than previously thought.

Archaeologists discovered a burial mound in southern Siberia containing the remains of at least one human and 18 horses, believed to be part of a sacrificial ritual.
The site, known as Tunnug 1, features artifacts and horse-riding equipment similar to those found in later Scythian burials in Europe.
The findings suggest that the Scythian culture, known for its horse-focused lifestyle and distinctive animal-style art, may have originated in Siberia.
The burial practices observed at Tunnug 1 are reminiscent of those described by Herodotus for Scythian kings, involving 'spectral riders' posed on horseback.
Connections between the burial and Late Bronze Age sites in Mongolia indicate a broader cultural exchange across Eurasia during the early Iron Age.