2,500 years ago groups of formidable warriors roamed the vast open plains of Siberia. Feared, loathed, admired – but over time forgotten… Until now. This major exhibition explores the story of the Scythians – nomadic tribes and masters of mounted warfare, who flourished between 900 and 200 BC. Their encounters with the Greeks, Assyrians and Persians were written into history but for centuries all trace of their culture was lost – buried beneath the ice. Find out more at: http://blog.britishmuseum.org/dan-snow-meets-the-scythians/

2. Map produced by Paul Goodhead
“northward of that
country [Scythia] snow falls continually …
the parts to the north of this continent
are uninhabited” (Herodotus)

3. Tombs were their only monuments

4. First discoveries
Gold belt plaque showing Scythians mourning the dead under a tree
Siberian Collection of Peter the Great
State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Photograph © V Terebenin, 2017

5. Body art: man’s tattoo
Pazyryk, southern Siberia
State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Photograph © V Terebenin, 2017
Body art Scythian style

6. Looking good

7. Portable possessions
Collapsible table with lathe-turned legs
State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Photograph © V Terebenin, 2017
Rug corner with a ring pot stand
State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Photograph © V Terebenin, 2017
Lumps of cheese
State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Photograph © V Terebenin, 2017

8. Felt cloth, hexapod and
brazier
Pazyryk, southern Siberia
State Hermitage Museum, St
Petersburg
Photograph © V Terebenin,
2017
Herodotus:
“They take some hemp seed,
creep into the tent, and throw the
seeds on to the hot stones [in a
small dish]. At once it begins to
smoke, giving off a vapour
unsurpassed by any vapour-bath
one could find in Greece. The
Scythians enjoy it so much that
they howl with pleasure. This is
their substitute for an ordinary
bath in water, which they never
use”
Mind-altered states

9. The Scythians were good riders
and skilled horse breeders

10. The Scythian bow