Unopened human bones wrapped in birch bark from an enigmatic vanished medieval civilization were discovered by a team of archaeologists excavating on the border of the Siberian Arctic.
Several of the old bodies were covered in permafrost, copper sheets, and pieces of copper kettles. This procedure of mummification had an exceptional preservation effect.
The remains are thought to be those of a kid or teenager who lived in the 12th or 13th centuries AD, according to archaeologists excavating the area close to Salekhard.
‘The find is now in Salekhard, in the Shemanovsky Museum, in special freezer. We plan to return to Salekhard on 15 July and immediately start the opening of the ‘cocoon’.’ Pictures: Vesti.Yamal
The new discovery is consistent with those made at Zeleny Yar and was made by a mysterious medieval culture that had connections to Persia while being located on the border of the Siberian Arctic. It will be the first mummy from the civilization discovered at this remarkable location since 2002 if it is confirmed. Alexander Gusev, a fellow at the Research Center for the Study of the Arctic, stated: “We decided, after speaking with colleagues, to take the find as a whole piece, that is, without opening it in the field, taking for further research in the city.”
There is metal underneath the birch bark, according to metal detector tests. The “cocoon” made of birch bark measures 1.30 meters in length and 30 cm in width at its widest point.
Archaeologists working at the site, near Salekhard, say they suspect the remains are of a child or teenager from the 12th or 13th centuries AD. Picture: Vesti.Yamal
It mimics the human body’s natural contours. The head and skull are probably in decent shape if there is a real mummy. We believe it to be a child, possibly a teenager. The item is currently preserved in a special freezer at the Shemanovsky Museum in Salekhard. On July 15, we want to return to Salekhard and start the ‘cocoon’ opening process right away.
Anthropologist Evgeniya Syatova believes that this discovery will perhaps shed light on this tribe’s history. Currently, it is thought that Persia is connected to the recently discovered vanished medieval civilization.
Five mummies were found to be shrouded in copper, while also elaborately covered in reindeer, beaver, wolverine or bear fur. Pictures: The SIberian Times, Natalya Fyodorova.
It is not the first time archaeologists have made an intriguing discovery in the region.
Previously, they found 34 shallow graves at the medieval site, including 11 bodies with shattered or missing skulls, and smashed skeletons.
Among them were five mummies found shrouded in copper, as well as elaborately covered in reindeer, beaver, wolverine or bear fur.In the graves found so far there was just one female, a child, her face masked by copper plates. There were no adult women.
Nearby scientists found three infant mummies wearing copper masks.
All of them were males. They were bound in four or five copper hoops, several centimeters wide.
Similarly, a red-haired man was found, protected from chest to foot by copper plating. The feet of the deceased are all pointing towards the Gorny Poluy River, a fact which is seen as having religious significance. The burial rituals are unknown to experts.
The identity of the ancient people buried in copper masks and the lost medieval civilization remains unknown at this time, but all examined evidence point to an ancient Persian connection.
AncientPages.com
