Barry Cunlife - The Scythians

6 Perederiieva mogila helmet
gallery of objects
(Kiev Museum of Historical Treasures)
From kurgan 2 at Perederiieva mogila near the village of Zrubne, Donests’ka Oblast.
Excavated by A. O. Moruzhenko in 1988. Fourth century bc.
Bell-shaped helmet in gold, 182 mm in height, showing scenes of warrior engagement
set in an open landscape indicated by plants growing from the basal ground
level. There are six figures arranged in two groups of three. Both scenes shows a
youth (unbearded) brought to his knees while another youth protects him from a
bearded aggressor. On the top of the helmet is a double rosette surrounded by a rope
pattern. At the base is a floral band.
1. The kneeling youth unsheathes his sword as he turns to his companion, who holds
his rectangular shield high to protect him whilst aiming his spear at the attacker.
His gorytos hangs at his left-hand side. The older man grabs the shield with his
left hand, threatening the kneeling figure with his sword. He wears an enigmatic
looped coil over his shoulder and across his chest which may represent a whip.
342