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Scythians is a Name Given Them by the Greeks: An Analysis of Six Barrow Burials on the West Eurasian Steppe
This detailed study compares the results of previously published excavations in what is termed the North Pontic region (Southern Russia and the Ukraine). It explores the question of whether a 'Scythian' ethnic grouping can be identified and its culture defined. It also examines issues of Greek colonization and asks what is actually meant when objects are identified as being in a 'Greek style'.
184 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 1748
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April 25, 2013
This is not exactly a must read if you're interested in Scythian burials, as it assumes much more prior knowledge of the relationships between Scythians and the local Greek poleis (we're not allowed to call them colonies anymore, apparently). However, it provides an overview of 6 of the most famous Scythian kurgans or burial mounds (i.e. the ones that contained the highest number of shiny, pretty things).
The analysis is made difficult by the fact that many of these barrows were plundered in antiquity or were excavated in the past century, resulting in an insufficient amount of field notes and even, occasionally, the lack of a general site plan. In a few instances, some of the objects have disappeared after excavations, and all we have is a series of hazy B&W photos. Skriver Tillisch does describe the objects in great detail, trying to differentiate between genuinely Greek artefacts and Scythian-made artefacts in Greek style. However, it seems to go a bit too far when interpreting the imagery on the objects, providing no sources for his statements. Nevertheless, his attempts at identifying the "ethnic background" of the items are interesting and solid.
It does not have much to do with the content of the book itself, but another reason I was annoyed with this book is that it is poorly bound (I am probably the first person who borrowed it from the library, and the first pages fell apart after I opened it twice) and has obviously not been edited properly, as it is full of typos and sentences that make little sense in English.
The analysis is made difficult by the fact that many of these barrows were plundered in antiquity or were excavated in the past century, resulting in an insufficient amount of field notes and even, occasionally, the lack of a general site plan. In a few instances, some of the objects have disappeared after excavations, and all we have is a series of hazy B&W photos. Skriver Tillisch does describe the objects in great detail, trying to differentiate between genuinely Greek artefacts and Scythian-made artefacts in Greek style. However, it seems to go a bit too far when interpreting the imagery on the objects, providing no sources for his statements. Nevertheless, his attempts at identifying the "ethnic background" of the items are interesting and solid.
It does not have much to do with the content of the book itself, but another reason I was annoyed with this book is that it is poorly bound (I am probably the first person who borrowed it from the library, and the first pages fell apart after I opened it twice) and has obviously not been edited properly, as it is full of typos and sentences that make little sense in English.
Displaying 1 of 1 review