2017: Scythian swords to the South of the Danube river. The Bulgarian group (in Russian with English summary) → Скифские мечи к югу от Дуная: болгарская группа памятников (original) (raw)

Scythian weaponry is one of the most original components of the material culture of the population of Eastern Europe of 7th–4th centuries BC and it could be called a “visit card” of the early nomads of Eurasia. The number of finds of Scythian swords and daggers has exceeded two hundred in the western part of the “Scythian world” (including the territory of the Carpathian-Dniester region, Transylvania, Silesia, Southern Carpathians and Southern Danube Region). It is well known, at least, 16 swords and daggers of Scythian appearance from the territory of Bulgaria, but unfortunately, this category of material culture did not become a subject of a special study earlier. Southern Danube or Bulgarian group of Scythian akinakai is represented by all main periods: Early (7th – the early 6th century BC), Middle (mid 6th –1st half of the 5th century BC) and Classical one (late 5th–4th century BC) and it is specific to the local steppe groups on the Western frontiers (like the Lower Danube and the Lower Dniester groups). It is also quite emblematic that the majority of artifacts refers to the end of Middle Scythian period and fills up all the territory of Northern Bulgaria, while the Early Scythian and Classical swords are grouped only in the central part, tending to the foothills of the Balkan mountain range.