Scientists from the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences during excavations in the Krasnodar Territory discovered a unique horse harness decorated with images of winged horses in an undisturbed mound of the 9-10th century.
The finds belong to an ancient culture that has not left a memory in the annals. Scientists call it “the culture of cremation burials” and traces of it are found throughout the northwestern Caucasus.
“This set is unique with silver plates with the image of heraldic horses, we have not found similar items. Alans have images of heraldic winged horses on the fabric, but this is a completely different culture, said the head of the excavation, a researcher at the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, candidate of historical sciences Irina Rukavishnikova, whose words are quoted in the message.
According to the head of the excavation, the investigated burial ground contained two types of burials: cremation burials in urn vessels, “turnless” cremations with accompanying items - weapons, utensils, vessels, jewelry, as well as buried bodies of the deceased.
In total, 19 burials and one large complex of objects with weapons, including a silver scabbard, and a harness decorated with cast silver plates were found. They depicted a pair of winged horses, and on the central breastplate - an eagle carrying a goat in its claws, and people performing a certain ritual, the message says.