Kelermes Royal Kurgan — Ciscaucasian Scythian Chieftain (Adygea, Kuban)
Келермесские курганы · Kelermes Kurgan 1–2 · Barrow of the Kelermes Mirror
Early Scythian (pre-Kelermes to Kelermes phase, 8th–7th c BCE aftermath of Near Eastern campaign)·North Caucasian Scythian–Meotian (Cimmerian substrate + returning Scythian)·🇷🇺 Republic of Adygea, Giaginsky District, Kelermesskaya village, Laba River forest-steppe, north Kuban, Russia
About
About Kelermes Royal Kurgan — Ciscaucasian Scythian Chieftain (Adygea, Kuban)
Adygea's hallmark North-Caucasian Scythian–Meotian interface royal kurgans (Kurgan 1–2) on Laba River terrace below Caucasus, 25 km from Maykop. G. ), 8th–7th c BC Kuban type but intrusive 7th c BCE Scythian swords (Kelermes sword — earliest Scythian akinakes with gold scabbard). Kurgan 2 yielded a 6-horse sacrifice with scale armour and Ionian import. Dated 670–640 BCE, Kelermes is the key 'returned Scythian' signature after the Near Eastern campaign (ca.
700 BCE per Herodotus), mixing Cimmerian substrate with Urartian booty. Hermitage collection.
Why it mattersAnchor site for Herodotus' Scythian Near Eastern campaign return to Kuban — earliest Scythian gold akinakes.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mirror inscription unread
Theories
- 01Cimmerian–Scythian hybrid
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.670 – 640 BCE
- Period
- Early Scythian (pre-Kelermes to Kelermes phase, 8th–7th c BCE aftermath of Near Eastern campaign)
- Culture
- North Caucasian Scythian–Meotian (Cimmerian substrate + returning Scythian)
- Builders
- Kuban Scythian elite (post-Urartian campaign)
- Purpose
- Elite Scythian–Meotian dynastic burial marking return from Assyria–Urartu
- Abandoned
- c.630 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1903 Schulz Imperial Hermitage; 1985 Leskov re-study
- Excavation
- Excavated
1903
Schulz opens Kurgan 1 mirror deposit
1985
Leskov confirms 670–640 BCE via Near Eastern imports
On the ground
Structures & features
44.7800° N · 40.1500° E · 180 m · 2 mapped features
Assyrian Bronze Mirror (22 cm) Deposit
treasure22-cm Assyrianizing bronze mirror with Aramaic symbols, found in horse pit fill
44.7820° N · 40.1520° EHorse Pit 1 (6 Horses) Laba Terrace
burial6-horse pit with scale armour and Kelermes gold-scabbard sword
44.7780° N · 40.1480° E