Pages: 167-182

The author examines applicative gold decorations with images of birds found on sites in the North-Pontic steppes. Of all noble burials, only fifteen contain badges with ornithomorphic images. We revealed a dependence between the image on applications and the gender of the buried. We also managed to identify particular elements of costume that were decorated with ornithomorphic images. Thus, female headdresses were decorated with images of ducks, whom the Scythians believed to personify goddesses (Mistresses of the Animals and “Rankenfrau”), while male headdresses and belts were decorated with birds of prey, who represented gods (similar to Surya and Verethragna).

Keywords: North Black Sea region, Scythian period, gold applicative decorations, ornithomorphic images.

Information about author:

Oksana Lifantii (Kiev, Ukraine). National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”. Skovoroda St., 2, Kiev, 04655, Ukraine
E-mail: [email protected]