Toothless ‘Amazonian’ female warrior ‘a foot taller than average’ found buried alongside ‘trophy bride’ draped in priceless stolen jewellery in 14th century Mongolian grave

AN Amazon woman warrior from the 14th century has been unearthed in Mongolia next to the grave of her “trophy bride”.

The contrasting medieval females – the fearsome 5ft 10 fighter capable of slaying men and her diminutive lover- were found in archaeological digs in northern Mongolia close to the Russian border.

The menacing woman warrior – at least a foot taller than other females of her time – was laid to rest with only ‘male items’ in a wooden coffin made of a whole log at Urd Khyar 1 site.

In another nearby grave was a wealthy woman bedecked in the best jewellery stolen in raids to Europe.

“The buried person we discovered is a kind of Mongolian Amazon,” said Professor Artur Kharinsky, leader of the expedition.

She would have been strong enough to defeat men in battle, he said.

“It can be assumed that she was a warrior, since she was buried with a long iron knife, hatchet, saddle with stirrups and a bronze bowl.”

This was “extremely rare” for female burials.

‘SHE WAS A WARRIOR’

“She has large limb bones, which indicates her physical strength,” said the  professor from Irkutsk National Research Technical University in Russia.

Despite her physical prowess, she was – by her death – “seriously ill” and “had lost most of her teeth during her lifetime”, he said.

“This was definitely not was not some (battle) injury.

“We do not see any traces of combat injuries on her bones, but we presume that she would have taken part in fights along with men,” he told The Siberian Times.

In stark contrast was a woman who lived slightly earlier found bedecked in priceless “trophy jewellery” stolen on raids by the Mongolians to Europe.

In death on her chest she wore two gold plaques, decorated with filigree and gems.

They were “expensive gifts from Europe” brought back for her from 13th century conquests by her husband or lover, said Professor Kharinsky.

“These things are clearly of European origin and could be obtained by a Mongol warrior during a campaign in the West, and then presented to his beloved one.

“These items are not the result of trading, they did not preserve their integrity.

“They were clearly the result of a share of booty between the warriors.”

The woman appeared “wealthy”, he said.

On her waist was a bronze mirror, on the reverse side of which were images of dragons.

‘Near the bones of the right leg were found the remains of a birch bark base of a headdress called ‘boghta’ ….characteristic of the costume of Mongolian women of the imperial period.

“Most likely, women did not participate in the campaign to the West.

“It was attended by men …. who brought trophies home.”

The Mongols surged through such lands as modern-day European Russia, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and southern Germany.