Axes in the Funerary Ceremonies of the Northern Pontic Scythians
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9342348 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Marina Daragan (0000-0003-1019-9407, Department of the Early Iron Age Archaeology, Institute Archaeology National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 12 Heroyiv Stalinhrada Ave., 04210 Kyiv, Ukraine, corresponding author), Sergei Polin (Department of the Early Iron Age Archaeology, Institute Archaeology National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 12 Heroyiv Stalinhrada Ave., 04210 Kyiv, Ukraine, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 124-124 |
| Publication date | 2023-06-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Arts (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2076-0752 • E-ISSN: 2076-0752 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/arts12030124 |
| OpenAlex | W4381435936 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 2 |
Axes were rare among the Scythians but are occasionally found in Scythian kurgans. Like other weapons, axes had practical as well as social and religious roles. The Scythians not only placed axes in burials as burial gifts, but also used them at various stages of the funeral ritual. This article considers several hitherto unknown, highly unusual archaeological contexts featuring axes. These contexts show that axes were used in the ritual preceding the excavation of the grave; they completed the ritual before the filling of the grave; and they were included in the final sealing of the burial. In addition to the ritual implications of Scythian axes found in kurgan burials, this article considers the meaning of the representations of related artifacts on Scythian metalwork, as well as on the coins of Kerkinitis and Olbia. A bronze votive axe similar to the one from L’vovo Kurgan 18, Burial 2 is shown on Olbian Borysthenes coins, indicating a permanent relationship between the city and the Scythians, perhaps in the form of paying tribute (“gifts”) to the Scythians. The dating of Olbian Borysthenes coinage is also discussed
Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Bronze · Excavation · Grave goods · Meaning (existential · Tribute · Classical Antiquity Studies · Eurasian Exchange Networks · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Philosophy
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1.5 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |