A unique skiff burial was discovered on Khortytsia

Recently, the island of Khortytsia gave archaeologists a surprise: for the first time in the last 28 years, a surviving Scythian burial site was found here. In a three-meter-deep catacomb lay the remains of a man buried at the age of 40. It was probably a warrior, since a quiver of arrows was found nearby. The quiver is made of leather and decorated with iron elements. In addition, there was a knife with a handle made of bone, as well as traces of sacrificial food. The age of the find is approximately 2.5 thousand years.

The skeleton of the skiff was unusual, judging by the length of the bones, the man's height was 180 cm. Healthy teeth indicate good nutrition of the warrior. For science, it is a great success to find such a well-preserved skeleton that allows you to make a sufficient number of analyses. The burial is also interesting, since it is not just a pit, but a hastily made underground structure. The entrance is made of stones, some of them weigh up to 200 kg.

The discovery may shed light on who lived on Khortytsia and how many settlements there were. The locals who lived here used the island as an important strategic object. It was necessary for a safe crossing from one Bank of the Dnieper to the other.