Disturbances of Scythian graves during the archaic period (preliminary observations)

The excavations of Scythian kurgans in the North Pontic area demonstrate that most graves were disturbed. Not without good reason, this phenomenon is linked to looting of the Scythian tombs at different stages. However, comparison of funerary assemblages located on the right bank of the Dnieper helped make some observations about disturbances of «Scythian» sites, possibly, related to processes other than lootings. The paper reports on four graves with similar construction in the following kurgans: Repyakhovataya Mogila (graves No. 1 and 2), Chervonaya Mogila (grave No. 2) and No. 407 near the village of Zhurovka (Zhuravka). These sites exhibit similarities such as iron terminals of similar shape and presence of other categories of grave goods. Only male Scythian graves were found looted while female and children graves were not disturbed. Preliminary assessment of the nature of disturbances suggests possible negative attitude of the local population inhabiting the forest-steppe on the right bank of the Dnieper towards the Scythians who arrived in this region. It is difficult to link disturbances of the sites excavated to looting for the sake of profit because, as suggested by preserved funerary offerings, the graves did not contain items made of precious stones.