Kul-Oba
Kul -Oba (Ukrainian / Russian: Куль - Оба, Crimean Tatar: Kül Oba ) translates as " Ash Hill". The term refers to an archaeological site of a Scythian tumulus near Kerch on the eastern Crimea in Ukraine.
Discovery
Kul -Oba was discovered in 1830 and was thus the first modern excavated Scythian grave mound. The grave stone is found a wealth of valuable artifacts that also articulated the general interest of the Scythian world. The treasures indicate a royal grave mound. Of particular interest was a finely granulated earring with two Nike figures, can be visited along with other finds in the Hermitage today. Many of the finds show that here was north of the Bosphorus, a culture shaped by Hellenistic and Scythian influences.
Finds
The grave mound was about 400-350 BC built, probably by experts from Pantikapaion, a Greek colony in the Crimea. The floor plan is rectangular and measures 4.20 by 4.60 meters. The stepped grave vault was 5.30 meters high. The wooden ceiling should probably be a Scythian tent sky.
The body of the king or prince was lying on a precious wooden deck near the eastern wall. A diadem surmounted by a felt cap with golden pendants crowned his skin and shows his prominent social position. Around his neck he wore a gold disk of 461 grams of weight. His wrists adorned up to three bracelets. In addition to the body found on the deck still an ampoule, a whip, a knife and a quiver, all richly decorated with gold and precious stones.
To the left of the bed stood a sarcophagus made of cypress wood and ivory. It contained a woman's body, probably the wife or concubine of the king. They wore clothes made of brocade and crowned with a diadem of electrum with gold pendants. Furthermore, she wore two openwork earrings, a gold disc, a gold necklace and two gold bracelets also. A bronze mirror with a gilded handle was placed beside her. A cup of electrum, stored between her feet, showed illustrations of Scythian mythology.
The remains of a slave - possibly a charioteer - were found in the southern wall. A small niche in the wall contained horse bones, a helmet, a bronze scabbard and two spearheads. Some silver caskets and bronze cauldron with lamb bones were deposited along the walls. In amphorae remains have been found of dried-up wine. Bronze arrowheads were scattered across the floor.
The archaeologists in charge suggests no hidden chambers. Some of the looted by looters found objects could be found later by the Russian government.
Gallery
Sphinxes
Face representations
Goldapplikation, two archers showing