Researchers: Scythians used human skin to make leather

In southern Ukraine, researchers have made a fascinating discovery of leather scraps from Scythian burial sites, shedding light on the ancient practices of this mysterious nomadic people who ruled the Eurasian steppe between 700 BCE and 300 BCE. The study, led by Luise Orsted Brandt from the University of Copenhagen, revealed that the Scythians primarily used domesticated animals like sheep, goat, cattle, and horse for leather production, while wild animals such as fox, squirrel, and feline species were used for furs.

However, the most surprising find was the presence of two human skin samples among the leather scraps, providing direct evidence that supports the ancient Greek historian Herodotus’ claim that Scythians used the skin of their enemies to manufacture leather trophy items. Herodotus had described how Scythian warriors, known for their ferocity, would tan the skin of slain enemies into leather and use it to cover their quivers, which held their arrows.

The Scythians, shrouded in mystery, were known for their warlike and nomadic lifestyle. According to Herodotus, the warriors would decapitate their enemies, use their heads to prove their deeds to their kings, and then tan the scalps into leather for various uses, including garments and coverings for quivers.

The recent discovery, based on the analysis of 45 leather scraps from 14 burial sites, corroborates Herodotus’ accounts. Scientists, led by Orsted Brandt, utilized advanced techniques to analyze the proteins in the leather, enabling the identification of contributing species. Contrary to previous methods that relied on the grain of the leather, this approach allowed researchers to preserve DNA integrity during the tanning process.

While most of the quiver was composed of animal skin, the study found that human-derived skin was present on the top part of some quivers, supporting Herodotus’ claim that certain Scythian quivers were indeed made with human skin, possibly sourced from defeated foes. This discovery not only adds historical credibility to Herodotus’ accounts but also provides valuable insights into the practices and customs of the enigmatic Scythian people.