Russian archaeologists have discovered a silver plate adorned with the image of a bare-breasted Scythian goddess. The plate was found in an ancient burial site in the Ostrogozhsky district of southwestern Russia, depicting Argimpasa, a goddess associated with human and animal fertility.
The plate dates back to between 900 BC and 200 BC, during a time when the Scythian people thrived in this region. The Scythians were semi-nomadic and renowned for their exceptional warrior skills, allowing them to move swiftly across battlefields.
The silver plate depicting a bare-breasted goddess recently discovered in Russia.
The ancient Greek historian Herodotus (circa 484 to 425 BC) wrote in his book “The Histories.” The Scythians were also known for their intricate gold craftsmanship.
The ancient burial site where the plate was found contains 19 burial pits. The excavation team discovered the silver plate inside a mound that had been partially looted in antiquity. Despite the looting, archaeologists found the plate near the skeleton of a man who was approximately 40 to 49 years old at the time of death.
The research team also uncovered Scythian pendants made from bone, horse harness materials, including bronze discs decorated with wolf imagery, as well as a cup, a jar, and a bear jaw, which may provide evidence of a “bear cult” existing in the area.
The discovered silver plate measures 34.7 cm in length and 7.5 cm in width, featuring an image of a bare-breasted Argimpasa, who is believed to be wearing a crown. The archaeologists noted that surrounding her are winged birds of prey and other legged creatures that researchers are still trying to understand.
This plate may have been used as a burial good for the man interred at this site. While many Scythian locations have been excavated, very few silver plates like this one have been found.
Valeriy Gulyaev, an archaeologist from the Russian Academy of Sciences and the leader of the research team, stated that further study is needed to interpret the divine figure depicted on the plate.
