About the Elite of Middle Sarmatian Society Based on Archaeological Materials of the Lower Volga Region

Abstract

The problem of allocation of the elite from the middle Sarmatian society is studied on the basis of written and archaeological sources. The data of written sources allow us to characterize ethno-tribal Sarmatian unions as complex societies that assume the presence of different levels of nobility and the main mass of the free population. The highest categories of Sarmatian elite are represented by such titles as kings and “skeptukhs”. Archaeological materials of Middle Sarmatian culture of the Lower Volga region enable us to select a group of elite burials, the hallmarks of which are the size of the mound, a broad rectangular burial pits and the construction of hiding places. Items of material culture are represented there by symbols of power: the pectoral, the torque and golden bracelets; silver and bronze cookware sets and clothes decorated with gold plaques. Some of them can be interpreted as the king’s things, but others, apparently, belonged to “skeptukhs”. There is a group of wealthy female burials which might belong to the priestesses. Because of sources’ condition it is difficult to distinguish between the burials of the kings and “skeptukhs”. Presumably, the king burials might be in a mound near the village of Oktyabrsky, in the mounds near the village of Kosika and at the station of Berdia. The burials of the professional priestesses belonged to Middle Sarmatian society and had the special status. They were found in the burial mounds 45 and 51 near the Peregruznoe village.

Keywords

• the sarmatians
• middle sarmatian culture
• the elite of the middle sarmatin culture
• written and archaeological sourses
• symbols of power
• kings
• skeptukhs
• priestesses