Pectoral and gold of the Scythians: treasures of the ancient people

We decided to look into the depths of history and remember the past. Twenty years ago, inspired by the events of the Orange Revolution, Ivan Kanivets and Volodymyr Kashtanov decided to create a project that would awaken interest in history. Its goal was to remind our citizens of fascinating facts about the past that they should have known since their school days, but for various reasons did not learn or forgot.

We saw an opportunity to combine historical content with an entertaining format, make it interesting and accessible to a wide audience, and encourage viewers to visit museums and explore Ukraine's cultural heritage. The plan was to create a series of 20 episodes, and we enthusiastically set to work. As a result, we managed to shoot three episodes before running out of resources. Later, these films became part of our other project, Ukrainian Episodes, in an updated form.

Today, on the occasion of the online premiere, we have improved the image quality of the History Online project, converted it to HD and added subtitles in Ukrainian and English. This issue is dedicated to one of the most mysterious and majestic artifacts of the ancient world - the golden treasures of the Scythians.

Who are the Scythians?

The Scythians were nomadic warriors and pastoralists who dominated the Eurasian steppes in the VII-III centuries B.C. They were not only formidable warriors but also connoisseurs of jewelry. Scythian gold is not just a piece of jewelry, but a testament to their unique culture, beliefs, and lifestyle.

Treasures that impress

Archaeologists have found luxurious gold items in Scythian burial mounds in Ukraine, including the famous burials in Tolstaya Mogyla, Solos, and Hayman's Grave. One of the most famous artifacts is a gold pectoral, a chest ornament that demonstrates the exceptional level of skill of ancient jewelers.

Scythian (or hired Greek) craftsmen created jewelry masterpieces using sophisticated techniques of engraving, filigree, and grain. Their jewelry depicted scenes from life, mythological creatures, and religious symbols, which gives us a better understanding of their worldview.

In this documentary, we take a journey through time to discover the secrets of these unique treasures. Why is Scythian gold considered one of the most valuable archaeological treasures? What stories are hidden behind the elegant ornaments and images? Find out right now!

Watch the full episode with English subtitles on our YouTube channel!

Want to support the project?

Buy works by Ivan Kanivets - historical novel "Tsingtao-Wien-Kyiv" or electronic collections of short stories in English Ukrainian stories of life and fight: volume I and Ukrainian stories of life and fight: volume II.

Or buy us a coffee!