Archaeologists have come across a grisly finding in Ukraine. More specifically, they have discovered leather made of human skin that Scynthian nomadic warriors could have fashioned roughly 2,000 years ago.
Ancient Scythians
The artifacts were from prehistoric Scythians, who were Iranian nomads who voyaged throughout the Eurasian steppes during 900 B.C. to A.D. 400. These people were from Central Asia and were known for being ferocious during battle and utilizing weapons that were innovative. They are believed to be some of the earliest masters of mounted warfare. They could have also lived in confederated tribes.
Based on ancient Greek stories that have been passed down, these Scythian peoples removed the skin of their enemy's right hand and used it for making leather.
This novel discovery of University of Copenhagen researchers marks the first evidence that shows that these writings were not just a myth.
Human Skin Leather
The researchers discovered human skin mixed with animal skin. These two different materials were mixed together to form a patchwork-type material that was carried by the warrior as a trophy of some sort.
In total, the researchers were able to uncover 18 burials from 14 Scythians sites across southern Ukraine. They were able to find 45 samples of leather.
Most animal skins were taken from goat or sheep species, while others were from carnivorous creatures. The team thinks that these animals were lion, tiger, wolverine, marten, hyena, or otter.
Based on analysis on the findings, two samples had human origins. This matched the text written by Herodotus, the ancient Greek father of history who wrote about Scythians in a 430 B.C. book. The book covers tales of Scynthians consuming enemy blood, using the scalps of humans and trophies, and flaying enemies to use their dead skin as leather quiver covers.
One sample of the human skin was mixed with cattle, horse, and goat skin for making an arrow-holding bag. In the second burial, the artifact consisted of human, goat, sheep, and horse skin.
The researchers note in the study "Human and animal skin identified by palaeoproteomics in Scythian leather objects from Ukraine" that the surprising discovery serves as the first to offer direct evidence of the claim of historian Herodotus that the Scynthians used their dead enemies' skin to make trophy items of human skin leather.
The team also adds that the archaeological findings support the other claims of Herodotus pertaining to Scythian customs.
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