A Man Stringing a Bow
Scythian urn with warriors, Kul Oba kurhan, Crimea, 4th century BC


Title: Spherical Vessel with Representations of Scythians in Relief
Place: The Northern Black Sea Region
Date: Second half of the 4th century BC
Place of finding: Crimea, the environs of Kerch
Archaeological site: Kul Oba Barrow
Material: electron [electrum]
Technique: chasing, soldering, engraving, drawing
Dimensions: h. 13 cm
Acquisition date: Entered the Hermitage in 1831
Inventory Number: КО.-11
Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg
Picture Source: Eurasian Steppe Nomads



Referenced on p.22, Scythians 700-300 B.C. by E.V.Cernenko, A.McBride, M.V.Gorelik
This magnificent gold vessel from the Kul Oba royal tomb shows many details of Scythian costume. This warrior is stringing his bow, bracing it behind his knee; note the typical pointed cap or hood, long jacket with fur or fleece trimming at the edges, decorated trousers, and short boots tied at the ankle. The hair seems normally to have been worn long and loose, and beards were apparently worn by all adult men.
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