The Scythians were a fearsome group of warriors in ancient history, known for their mastery of horseback archery and their nomadic lifestyle spanning from the Black Sea to China. While much of what is known about them comes from foreign accounts, the famous historian Herodotus provided detailed descriptions of their customs, including the macabre practice of using human skin to make garments and quivers.
Recent research has now confirmed Herodotus’ accounts, as leather fragments from 2,400-year-old Scythian burial mounds in Southern Ukraine were found to contain samples of human skin. While most of their clothing and accessories were made from animal hides, the use of human skin in the tops of the quivers suggests a more personal and symbolic significance for the Scythian warriors.
The Scythians were a dominant force in the 9th to 4th centuries BCE, living as nomads and relying heavily on their horses for both transportation and warfare. Their society was based on cattle herding and warfare, with elaborate burial mounds showcasing their status and wealth. The decline of the Scythian empire came gradually, as neighboring peoples and new emerging cultures challenged their dominance on the steppes.
Herodotus, despite his reputation for embellishment and exaggeration, has been vindicated in some of his accounts by recent archaeological findings. From the use of human skin in Scythian artifacts to the discovery of cannabis and opium traces in their tombs, Herodotus’ colorful descriptions have been revealed to have some basis in reality. This highlights the importance of historical accounts, even those that may seem fantastical, in understanding ancient civilizations and their practices.