Session: #188

Content:

From the late 9th century BC onwards, a material culture emerges in the Eurasian steppe region whose characteristic components include specific horse-harnesses, an armament with bow and arrow, so called Akinakes swords and daggers, and a distinctive ornamental style. The latter is also described in research under the term of Scythian animal-style, and the complex of this material culture is accordingly termed "early Scythian". In the course of the following centuries, numerous interactions with neighboring regions and cultural groups can be traced for this so-called early Scythian culture, although the material content and territorial delimitation of this cultural phenomenon itself is still discussed.
The spread of the so-called "mounted nomads” and their interactions with neighboring regions and cultural groups can also be associated with military activities for certain periods analogous to historical written sources. These, in turn, led to the shift of goods and parts of the population, and in some regions even seem to have led to drastic changes, if one thinks of the example of the presumed end of the Easthallstatt-circle.
The focus of our session is directed to the broad and complex interrelationships and interactions of this so-called cultural circle of "mounted nomads" with its neighboring regions, which show very different manifestations over the course of half a millennium.
In particular, studies focusing on the question of the exchange of goods and raw materials via isotope analyzes, as well as possible population shifts or the exchange of persons, should be considered. There is also space for discussions based on traditional material analysis, studies on chronology based on absolute dating methods, and the presentation of new findings related to our session's topic from current excavations. Especially young colleagues at the beginning of their scientific career are welcome.

Session: #188

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