Crypt mystery as 1,500-year-old ‘horse warrior’ buried with wife and kids found – and ‘may have been butchered by tribesmen’
AN ANCIENT warrior has been unearthed from a Russian crypt, buried alongside his wife and three children. The discovery has sparked an archaeological mystery, with experts unable to confirm whether the family died from plague – or were butchered by local tribesmen. Archaeologists say the “noble” family was buried at the site in Fanagoriya, Russia […]
AN ANCIENT warrior has been unearthed from a Russian crypt, buried alongside his wife and three children.
The discovery has sparked an archaeological mystery, with experts unable to confirm whether the family died from plague – or were butchered by local tribesmen.
Archaeologists say the “noble” family was buried at the site in Fanagoriya, Russia around 1,500 years ago.
The adult male skeleton was found buried with riding stirrups and spurs, according to the Russian Academy of Sciences.
He was also equipped with a sword-belt, which suggests he was a mounted warrior.
And the 16-foot-deep crypt also contained valuables, indicating wealth or high status.
“Judging by what we have found here, the man served the city’s army,” said Aleksei Voroshilov, who led the dig.
“He was a horseman, because we found riding stirrups and spurs too.
“There is also a leather harness attached to a belt, which was used to carry a sword.
“The buckles on the harness are really worn out, which means this warrior has seen a lot of fighting.
“He was unsheathing and sheathing his sword again and again.”
The long-dead warrior was also buried alongside his wife and three children.
It’s not clear how they died, but archaeologists believe they may have been killed by the plague.
Another leading theory is that they were butchered by nomadic tribesmen in the local area.
Fanagoriya – the key facts
Here's what you need to know...
- Fanagoriya was the largest Ancient Greeky city on tghe Taman peninsula, in Russia’s south-west
- The city was a major hub for traffic between the coast of the Maeotian marshes and the countries on the southern side of the Caucasus mountains
- It was also the eastern capital of the Bosporan Kingdom
- In ancient times, the city was best known for being a trading hub
- It was founded around the year 543 BC by Greek colonists fleeing conquests in Asian Turkey
- The city took the name of one of the colonists: Fanagoras
- But it faced major downfall in the 10th century after an invasion
- Beyond the Middle Ages, there was no permanent settlement at the location
- However, it is now a prominent archaeological site
In any case, the dig site at Fanagoriya is of huge interest to archaeologists.
The site is believed to have major historical importance to Christianity, and has produced a number of rare artefacts.
“This year we have discovered very accurate and strong evidence that Christianity was founded in Fanagoriya in the fifth century, which is a marble tabletop, which could be used as an altar in a church,” said Aleksei.
“We have discovered a marble baptistery for infants or probably for toddlers as well. It is not very big, nevertheless it is massive and made from marble.
“One of our underwater expeditions discovered a ship some time ago, which was sunk following the uprising in Fanagoriya against Mithridates VI of Pontus which occurred exactly in 62 BC.
“This ship is one of the most ancient ones ever found in the world.”
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