Barry Cunlife - The Scythians

crossing the carpathians
Transylvanian group
Influence from Transylvanian group
Vekerzug group
Influence from Vekerzug group
Uppe r
Danube
Morava
Tisza
Raab
L. Balaton
Körös
Mureş
Middle D a nube
Drave
Save
N
Alt
0 200 miles
0 200km
Adriatic Sea
6.4 Based on the distribution of Scythian and Scythian-style artefacts two principal areas of settlement
can be identified, each with its own distinctive assemblage of artefacts. Lesser concentrations of material
indicate areas of influence emanating from the main settlement areas.
the local population. While the evidence could be explained in terms of indigenous
elites acquiring exotic material by trade from the Pontic steppe to enhance their
status, the sudden adoption of the catacomb-style graves points to immigration.
Some commentators have suggested that those in the Transylvanian enclave were
the Agathyrsae described by Herodotus as ‘a race of men very luxurious and fond of
wearing gold on their persons’ (Hist. iv. 104). Although they acted independently of
the Scythians at the time of the Persian invasions, this does not exclude them from
having Scythian origins.
The second group, clearly recognizable from the archaeological data, occupied
the steppeland of Hungary east of the Danube, which centred on the valley of the
Tisza River and extended to the hillier region of north Hungary and south-west Slovakia.
The group has been named the Vekerzug culture after a large cemetery site
found at Szentes Vekerzug near Csongrád. Some writers suggest that they were the
152