Discovered at last? On a summer’s day in 1993, a Russian archaeological team, led by Natalia Polosmak, ventured into the Altai Mountains between Russia and China, into a sacred place called “the Pastures of Heaven” into a group of kurgans (burial mound filled in with smaller sediment and covered with a pile of rocks; typically, the mound covered a tomb chamber), in search for ancient remains.
When Natalie and her crew visited the border, a border guard by the name of Lt. Mikhail Chepanov, who had extensive knowledge of the mounds in the area, greeted them. He showed them to a mound that he was able to look out for them from the distance and protect them. He also believed it was a beautiful mound for them to start their search. Whilst they were excavating, they almost missed the burial site as they hit a later burial on top of the Ice Maiden’s tomb which had been raided in previous years. This tomb seemed to have been robbed due to a shaft dug into the tomb. This is what had caused the water to seep in and freeze her coffin, and the constant permafrost kept the tomb frozen and caused the body to be persevered for what experts say is 2500 years. The Ice Maiden was dated back to 5th century BCE. Her tomb chamber was constructed out of notch wood logs. Within the chamber laid her coffin, made of larch wood tree trunk decorated with leathers, depicting deer figures. Two small tables with tray shaped tops were also found which were used to serve food and drink. On the table, scientists were able to tell there was mutton and horsemeat to sustain her for her last journey. Within the chamber, 6 horses were also found with the Ice Maiden. Other artefacts were also found such as persevered clothing; a hand mirror with the Ice Maiden, a tattooed man nicknamed “Conan.” She was also found with a high felt headdress on, similar to what a witch would wear. |
A reconstruction of a kurhan section
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