To attribute any special significance, going forward, to some putative archaeological discoveries would be, in the current climate at least possibly premature, potentially destabilizing and hence probably irrational. Or maybe not, whatever...
Posted on 08/26/2004 8:57:28 AM PDT by blam
ARCHEOLOGISTS MAKE UNIQUE FIND IN SOUTHERN RUSSIA
MOSCOW, August 25 (RIA Novosti) - Archeologists working in the Russian republic of North Ossetia, in the Caucasus, have made a unique find. They have unearthed remains of a horse with outfit. The horse is reported to have belonged to a dignitary of Alan, the state that presumably existed here in the 7th-9th centuries.
The horse's outfit is elaborately decorated with gold-plated silver pendants, openwork pendants, and jingle bells, says Ruslan Dzatiati, a senior official at the North Ossetian Humanities Institute. Scholars believe that the horse was buried together with its owner to accompany his spirit to the afterworld. Mr. Dzatiati sees the find as a material proof of the existence of such a ritual.
As the Vesti.ru site reports, scholars have now found enough evidence to corroborate their hypothesis that the Alans lived in the area now known as North Ossetia in the 7th-9th centuries and that they maintained broad contacts with Europe and Asia. Among the most recently found artifacts, there is well-preserved pottery, jewelry, and weaponry, including ten sabers. Once restored and examined, the objects will join the collection of the Museum of Peoples of the Orient, in Moscow.
The current archeological season is coming to a close, but fieldwork here will last for years ahead. Scholars hope there are other valuable finds in store for them.
GGG Ping.
Actually, there are a bunch of Alans living near me. Must've migrated to the US.
"Outfit"? Does he mean "tack"?
alan?? worst name for a state, EVER! (said in comic book store guy voice from the simpsons)
I think the horse was elaborately outfitted with armor and adornments which would extend beyond our concept of tack.
The Alans were offshoots of the Scythians, much like the Sarmatians. They participated in the Germanic migration alongside the Vandals and Sueves.
Like the Sarmatians they were cavalry horse archers around a core of mailed cataphracts.
Thanks for the info, I have never heard of the Alans before.
Thank you, blam.
Lots of news today.
To attribute any special significance, going forward, to some putative archaeological discoveries would be, in the current climate at least possibly premature, potentially destabilizing and hence probably irrational. Or maybe not, whatever...
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
It's called barding.
http://ilaria.veltri.tripod.com/overviewbards.html
|
|
|||
Gods |
Just updating the GGG info, not sending a general distribution. |
||
|
· Mirabilis · Texas AM Anthropology News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · · History or Science & Nature Podcasts · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
|||
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.