A collaborative team of anthropologists has made a startling discovery: two ancient pieces of Scythian leather, unearthed at Ukrainian sites, were crafted from human skin. The findings, detailed on the open-access platform PLOS ONE, stem from a project aimed at investigating the historical accounts of ancient Scythian warrior behaviors, as chronicled by the Greek historian Herodotus.
The Scythians, an enigmatic group who inhabited the Pontic-Caspian steppe between 700 BCE and 300 BCE, remain somewhat elusive in historical records due to their nomadic lifestyle. Revered for their prowess in warfare and equestrian skills, they were mentioned by Herodotus, who described their ritualistic practices, including drinking the blood of fallen foes and employing scalps as makeshift hand wipes. Of particular interest was Herodotus’s claim that they fashioned leather quivers using the skin from the right hand of their enemies.
In this investigation, the research team employed various paleoproteomics techniques to analyze 45 leather samples from 14 Scythian archaeological sites. The majority of the samples, derived from horses, cattle, goats, or sheep, aligned with conventional expectations. However, two samples unequivocally originated from human skin, corroborating Herodotus’s account.
Further examination of these human skin leather samples revealed that they were selectively applied to the upper portions of quivers, while the remaining sections were crafted from animal leather. This nuanced approach not only substantiates the historical narratives about Scythian practices but also suggests a resourceful strategy wherein the warriors fashioned their own quivers, utilizing materials readily available in their environment.
The implications of this discovery extend beyond the confirmation of ancient tales; they provide a tangible link to the resourcefulness and adaptability of Scythian warriors, shedding light on their practical skills in crafting essential equipment from diverse materials in their surroundings.