Siberian skeleton discovery: 3,000-year-old artifacts hint at chariot use in Bronze Age
The discovery was made near the village of Kamyshta, in the republic of Khakassia, Siberia. Years of dedicated archaeological excavations in this area led to the uncovering of a burial tomb containing at least several sets of remains, many of which are well-preserved. One skeleton, however, stood out due to its accompanying artifact.
11:06 AM EST, January 15, 2024
The intriguing item was found alongside the remains. The archaeologists highlight its resemblance to other objects previously discovered in Mongolia and China.
This artifact is likely part of a belt used by chariot riders. Preliminary examination suggests that this small, uniquely shaped piece of metal could have been used by charioteers to fasten themselves to the chariot, enabling greater mobility and freeing up their hands.
However, fragments of chariots are yet to be discovered within Siberian tombs. The tomb, potentially expanded over an estimated 400 year timeframe, holds a treasure trove of fascinating items, ranging from personal jewelry to Bronze Age knives.
This recent discovery has sparked many questions amongst the archaeological community. Were horse-drawn chariots commonly used in Siberia 3,000 years ago? The evidence so far doesn't support this, yet this intriguing find could suggest otherwise.
"For a long time in Russian archaeology, this peculiar object was labelled as having an unknown use. However, recent discoveries of chariot-riding Bronze Age burials in China, complete with remnants of the chariots and horses themselves, suggest that this object is actually a chariot accessory," explains Oleg Mitko, an archaeologist from Novosibirsk State University in Russia.
The team is planning to conduct further excavations. Their hope is to gain more insight into the burial practices of the region and the lifestyle of the local communities. Current findings indicate that these communities were primarily cattle breeders.
