Museum complex

The tip of the cult baton

VI – V centuries BC.
Early Iron Age
Bronze, cast after a composite wax model
Height (without bells) - 13.2 cm; bell height - 6.3 cm
Receipt: excavations under the supervision of G.D. Filimonov, 1877; transferred to the Museum from the Anthropological exhibition in 1878.
Showcase 6

The Kazbek treasure of numerous items of ritual purpose comes from a place of worship located in the center of Caucasus near the Main Caucasian ridge. The tip of the cult baton found in the treasure is made of three columns consisting of aurochs heads placed on top of each other. The columns are attached to the central sleeve. At the bottom on the rings are suspended bronze bells from each of the columns. On one of the upper pairs of horns of the aurochs stands a naked male phallic figure in boots, with a double hammer in his hand. This must be the Thunderer striking with a thundering hammer.
Functional purpose: the tip was put on the lower end of the cult baton used in ritual ceremonies.
Notice of uniqueness: a unique item that has no direct analogues.

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