Pages: 183-214

The article describes the image of the Saka warrior. Fine artifacts from the territory of Kazakhstan and adjacent regions are used as a resource. The chronological framework of the work is 8th (7th) — 3rd cc. BC.
The research revealed that the image of the warrior was depicted through a number of attributes. Besides clothing, symbolic and social roles were performed by such elements as the shape and decor of headdresses and hairstyles, a set of armaments, the decor of worn open clothes, the presence of a hryvnia and belt. It is typical to depict a man in full protective equipment for the soldiers. Soldiers/hunters of the early nomadic era are also represented in clothing — a short caftan or a jacket with trim, tight pants, gaiters and soft, cordless shoes. The head in this case can be covered by the headdress with a sharp or rounded top. A separate group includes images with an uncovered head. Apparently, a mustache that occurs in the images has a special role in creating the look of a warrior. On the face there can be “signs” of scars, coloring, tattooing.
Warriors features of the Scythian epoch of the east of Eurasia, Kazakhstan, shown with all details allow to assume that they have European type of face and, in some cases — some Mongoloid traits are present. In the first of these two cases, close details in the image are traced, which really suggest the idea of the ideal warrior, who was embodied in the works of ancient art.

Keywords: Eurasian steppes, Kazakhstan, Early Scythian period, Saka time, fine art, art, image of a warrior/hunter, clothing, hairstyle, outfit

Information about authors:

Gulnara Jumabekova (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Margulan. Dostyk Ave., 44, Almaty, 050100, Kazakhstan; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Al-Farabi Ave., 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
E-mail: [email protected]
Galiya Bazarbayeva (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Margulan. Dostyk Ave., 44, Almaty, 050100, Kazakhstan; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Al-Farabi Ave., 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
E-mail: [email protected]