Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-03-02
:sEPuLcHRAL TREASURE.
Precious Ornaments Found In the
Tomb of a Scythian King.

writes a correspondent of the LondoI
Times, is very rich in barrows and Sc
pulchral tumult. The Russian Impe,
rial Archaeological Commission, under
the presidency of Count A. Borinslxi
has lately explored seve raj of these
mounds and has made in them many
interesting and important discoveries.
One mound in particular throws much
new light upon the manners and Gus
toms of the ancient Sycthians who
erected it. 1t lies within short dis
tanee of the little settlement of KEym-
slkaia, and is locally known rs Great
Kurgan. The earth removed, the ex-
plorers came upon long building con-
sisting of three chambers and a connect
ing passage. The length of the whole
is about sixty-seven feet. The walls
are constructed of massive, well-hewn
slabs Of stone and are covered with
stucco, which in turn is deliberately
decorated with frescoes, The floor, also
formed of some slabs, is laid in cement.
The doorway of the first of the three
chambers is ornamented with a plain
coUniee, and the aperature has been
/ closed by means of slabs of stones.
The height of the room within varied
from seven feet to eleven feet.
This chamber proved to be perfect
treasure-house Of archaeological relics.
In a corner to the right OF the entrance
| stood large earthen amphora. Close
TO it lay silver vessel and small
glazed earthenware cup, together with
$50 glass beads and the remains Of a
copper ladle. \ few Of the beads we're
evidently of Egyptian origin; others
We're shaped like the human head and
yet others were medallion-shaped. One
of these last bore the figure of lion;
another the portrait OF Roman En-
peror; q third the effigy of a warrior
completely armed with breastplate,
helmet shield and spear Near the
center Of the chamber We're found some
fragments of iron which had evidently
once formed part of a large wheel, the
bones of two horses, and some rusty
remnants Of brides.
But the most interesting objects lay
near the left wall OF the chamber.
There, with its head turned toward the
east, was found the skeleton of a young
woman who in life had clearly been a
person Of high rank. Around her neck
was heavy band Of golden filigree
work with pendant ornaments, and with
a central plaque bearing bulls head
Beside the scull was thin, triangular
gold plate nearly eight inches broad
and ornamented with figures in relief
the main ornament Of the lady's head
dress, for its angles were each bored
with round holes. Near this plate were
found sixteen birds OF beaten gold, each
about half an inch high and fifty small,
thin gold plaques decorated with
masks, stars and heads of MedusR
Each of these plaques is provided with
small holes, and the plates had no
doubt been fastened to the woman's cap.
Beneath the skull lay two gold earrings
of fine filigree work and a gold chain to
one end of which a charm, shap-
ed like lions head, was appended.
Both arms of the skeleton were encir-
eled by massive bracelets shaped like
snakes with horses heads, and on one fin
ger of the right hand was broad gold
wiring engraved with figure of the
Muse Erate playing on the Tyre. All
these objects were covered with thick
layer of SCOT and ashes.
The second, or central room, was
nearly empty. Beyond it a short pass
age led to the third and most important
chamber. This was nearly four feet
higher than the others; the stones of
which it was built were larger; the
stucco was Of a better quality. In it
were several yessles Of copper and
some drinking cups OF silver, richly
decorated PARALLEL with the left wall |
OF the chamber, with its head to the |
east, lay skeleton, presumably that
of Scythian King. Around the neck |
was a thick golden Enclosed hoop
which weighs over a pound. The ends
are ornamented with representations Of |
wild boars attacked by lions. By the |
skull lay golden plate roughly worked !
with masks and stars. This seems to
have formed the principal ornament of
the Kings head-dress. Near the skull
were the remains of silver culver,
overlaid with gold on which were en-
graved warriors and mythical flying
figures. This culver contained about
fifty slender copper arrows On the
skeletons left similar CULVER with
about two hundred arrows and a much
rusted sword with a golden hilt, togeth-
er with a cylindrical stone hone, bored
with hole, were found. These, no
doubt, originally hung to the Kings
belt. Nearer to the wall were twelve
iron spear points. Near both skeletons
remains of rotton boards and nails were
also discovered. These point to the
Likelihood of the bodies having been in
plaGp6 in anNfng If an,,an Lid