Museum complex

SWORD

Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Kyzylorda Region, South Tagisken burial ground
V-IV centuries BC
The Scythian period
Iron, gold, silver
Length 102 cm
Showcase 12

Sword is one of the most important attributes that united nomads belonging to the Scythian culture. That attribute became one the main elements of a so-called “Scythian Triad”, defining the whole epoch of the early iron age: weapons, harnesses, and objects decorated in a specific animal art style.
In distinction from widespread in ancient times short sword – “acenaces”, long swords findings are very few. Long swords belong to the period of V-IV centuries BC and come from the territories of the Southern Cisurals – Northern Kazakhstan. Steppe tribes were inevitably dependent on settled population due to the specialties of the nomad economy. The need in agricultural products caused many conflicts. Wars with farmers, fighting in dismounted formation, helped nomads to hammer out a special conduct of combat tactics. Perhaps this is an explanation why a long sword for slashing blow while sitting on a horse in a close-in fighting appears in the Central Asia in V century BC. The swords scabbard was decorated with golden plaques with stamped images of different animals - feliform predators and a mountain goat – images that were widespread in Scythian-Siberian animal style.
Exhibit’s purpose of use – ceremonial weapon.
Uniqueness - Unique item.

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