The British Museum will shed light on an ancient culture that remained undiscovered for thousands of years….
Scythians: Warriors of Ancient Siberia will explore the history of the powerful nomadic tribes who thrived in a vast landscape stretching from southern Russia to China and the northern Black Sea.
Known to be exceptional horsemen and warriors, the Scythians caused fear in their adversaries including ancient Greeks, Assyrians and Persians between 900 and 200 BC. This exhibition will reveal their story through archaeological discoveries and perfectly preserved objects.
It is the first major UK exhibition to explore the Scythians in forty years, with many of the objects on display dating back over 2,500 years.
Each of the 200 objects that are on display will uncover different pieces of Scythian life, including a major loan in collaboration with the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, and other generous loans from the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ashmolean Museum and the Royal Collection.
Many of the objects on display have been preserved for years thanks to the permafrost and include textiles, fur-lined garments and accessories, unique horse headgear and tattooed human remains.
The purpose of the exhibition is to show how life for the Scythians was tough and their constant battle for survival. It will be an in depth examination of how they appeared, what they wore, who they traded with and what they ate and drank.
Talking about the exhibition, Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum, said: “It is hugely exciting to be announcing the British Museum’s autumn exhibition on the ancient Scythians and we look forward to sharing their fascinating story with our visitors.”
Scythians: Warriors of Ancient Siberia will be on display at the British Museum from the 14th September until the 14th January 2018. For more information visit: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/scythians.aspx