Researchers have discovered an almost intact tomb of an 18th-century shaman in a remote area of Siberia.
In a second archaeological study in the Yakutia region of Siberia, a team of experts from the Institute of Northern Ethnic Studies and Anthropology discovered the mummy of a man fully dressed inside a coffin.
According to Aleksandra Nikolaevna Prokopyeva, a researcher at the Arctic Laboratory of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the shaman’s cloak was accompanied by a pendant made of iron and copper. The man’s legs were wrapped in fur fabric. Additionally, the shaman wore a silk shirt underneath and had bracelets on.
The tomb is located at a depth of about 0.8 meters. The coffin was constructed from wide planks and covered with larch bark. The research team paid special attention to the shaman’s feet due to the embroidered fabric wrapped around them, which featured many colored threads and leather coverings. Next to the mummy were a set of horse saddles, reins, an iron stirrup, two bags, and food.
Currently, the Russian Cultural Research and Restoration Center is working to restore the rare outfit. The shaman and the tomb are in extremely good condition despite being buried for over 200 years, possibly due to the soil layer and burial location, according to Prokopyeva.
“This is a unique discovery. Due to climate change, the preservation of artifacts during excavations is becoming increasingly poor. Researching tombs is also becoming more challenging due to changes in the landscape. The well-preserved state of this burial complex is likely due to a combination of various physical and chemical factors as well as the natural environment,” the research team stated. They are planning to reconstruct the tomb and artifacts within the next few years.
