10 most interesting secrets of Siberia that amazed scientists and historians

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Siberia is a huge territory that stretches eastward from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. It is home to about three people per square kilometer and is one of the least densely populated places on Earth. Nevertheless, it was this area that turned out to be a real treasure for archaeologists. Thanks to the cool, dry air and permafrost, many ancient artifacts have been stunningly preserved for thousands of years.

1. Shigir idol

Archaeologists discovered the world's oldest wooden sculpture during excavations in a swamp in Western Siberia in the late 19th century. Its age was estimated at 11,000 years, i.e. this idol is twice the age of the great pyramids and 6,000 years older than Stonehenge. The 2, 8-meter sculpture was carved from a 157-year-old larch tree that was cut with stone tools.

Considering that the idol has lain for thousands of years in a swamp, it is perfectly preserved. You can still make out the features of his face, as well as the carved ornament on his body. Some believe that the incomprehensible lines on the idol contain some kind of encrypted information. Others suggest that this idol, which was once 5.2 meters high, may represent the prototype of an Indian totem.

2. Siberian Amazons

In 1990, archaeologists discovered the remains of a female warrior in the Altai Mountains in Siberia. The 2,500-year-old girl with pigtails is believed to be a member of the elite group of Pazyryk warriors. She was buried with a shield, battle ax, bow and arrow. The ancient Greek writer Hippocrates noted that the Scythians had warriors called the Amazons. Many believed that one of these mythical warriors had finally been discovered. However, DNA analysis thwarted these assumptions.

It turns out that the girl was about 16 years old at the time of her death. The Amazon was buried surrounded by symbols of fertility such as shells and amulets. The coffin, wooden cushion and quiver were all smaller than those found in men's graves. Also, the remains of nine horses were found next to her, which suggests the high status of the girl. The cause of death of the "pigtailed warrior" remains a mystery.

3. The most ancient oncology

Many people think that cancer is a modern disease. For years, researchers assumed that ancient people who were constantly active and ate natural foods did not have cancer. However, in 2014, a discovery was made that refutes this: the remains of a man who lived in Siberia in the Bronze Age who died of prostate cancer were found. Although cases of 6,000-year-old benign tumors have previously been found, these 4,500-year-old remains are the oldest absolutely confirmed cancer case. Most of the male stops found at this location were found in a supine position next to hunting and fishing gear. However, the "man with cancer" was different from them: he was found in fetal position with an intricately carved bone spoon next to him.

4. Idol who changed the race

Archaeologists believe that the 2,400-year-old Siberian stone idol underwent a "race change" during the early Middle Ages. The Ust-Taseevsky idol once had large protruding nostrils, a large open mouth, a mustache and a thick beard. Experts believe that around 1,500 years ago, someone underwent "plastic surgery" to make the idol look less European and more Asian. They made him narrower eyes, and shaved off his beard and mustache.

Archaeologists believe that the Ust-Taseevsky idol was originally carved during the Scythian period, when the inhabitants of this region were Europeans. But during the early Middle Ages, the population of the Angara River region was "squeezed" by the Mongols who came with the invasion.

5. Bone Armor

Archaeologists recently unearthed a complete set of bone armor in Siberia. The 900-year-old armor was made from the bone of an unknown animal and was buried separately from its owner in the wooded western steppe near present-day Omsk. While most of the finds in this area belong to the Krotov culture, researchers believe that the armor belongs to the Samus-Seima culture, which arose in the Altai mountains, before spreading to the southwest. The armor was found surprisingly in excellent condition at a depth of 1.5 meters.

6. The oldest sewing needles

Archaeologists have discovered the world's oldest sewing needle in the Altai mountains. The 50,000-year-old needle was found in Denisova Cave and was not used by Homo sapiens. The 7-centimeter needle has a hole for thread, and it was made from the bone of a large unknown bird. It was found in the same layer as the remains of the mysterious hominids - the Denisovsky man.

7. Okunevskaya aristocrat

In the Siberian Republic of Khakassia, archaeologists have discovered the remains of the "noblewoman" of the ancient Okunev culture. Experts believe that the Okunev culture was the Siberian ethnic group most closely associated with Native Americans. In a grave dating from the XXV-XVIII centuries BC. the remains of a child and a huge treasure were also found. The tomb contained 100 ornaments made of animal teeth, their bones and horns, tools, two vessels, cases filled with bone needles, a bronze knife and more than 1,500 beads that adorn the burial clothes of the “aristocrat”. The tomb was closed with a stone slab depicting a bull.

8.3,000-year-old craniotomy

In 2015, archaeologists near Oil Pipeline 2 in Siberia found a skull with clear evidence of brain surgery that was performed 3,000 years ago. The patient died between the ages of 30 and 40, and the open parietal bone of his skull showed signs of overgrowth, indicating that he lived for a period of time after trepanation. Experts believe his death was caused by post-operative inflammation.

9. Weena and Uyan

In 2015, researchers discovered the remains of two deceased lion cubs in the permafrost of Siberia. The animals named Dina and Uyan are 57,000 years old and are cubs of cave lions that went extinct about 10,000 years ago. They were only 1-2 weeks old when the cave ceiling collapsed on the lion cubs. The opaque white liquid found in their stomachs may be the oldest milk in the world.

10. Couple holding hands for 5,000 years

An unusual burial was discovered on the shore of Lake Baikal this year. In the grave lay a couple who held hands for 5,000 years. Bronze Age skeletons that belong to the Glazkov culture are believed to belong to an important person and his wife or mistress. The burial also contained rings made of rare white jade, rings, pendants made of deer bone and musk deer teeth, a 50-centimeter jade dagger and a metal object of unknown purpose in a bag between the man's legs.

Siberia attracts foreigners not only with its treasures. In one of our reviews, we told what attracts grooms from the Middle Kingdom to Russia.