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Product Description
SEE MORE ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN ARTIFACTS
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Objects from the ancient Sarmatian Eastern Iranian Empire horseback nomad culture are extremely rare and their absence in any collection, private or institutional, proves that. This is very large iron handled primary dagger from an ancient Sarmatian horseback warrior. The Sarmatians, Scythians and Saka, were a large confederation of ancient Iranian horse nomadic peoples who dominated the Pontic Steppe from about the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD. These are grouped together as "East Iranians." The Sarmatians spoke an Iranian language that was derived from 'Old Iranian'. Eastern Sarmatian tribes used scale armor, and used a long lance called the contus, and bows in battle.
Made of iron and dating from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century, this large dagger knife is in extremely rare preservation being complete, with full winged pommel and guard. The long intimidating blade has a slightly dropping profile with a belly on the lower edge. An identical (but incomplete) example of this rare weapon is shown in a figure 34, page 177 of "Nomads of the Eurasian Steppes in the Early Iron Age" by Jeannine Davis-Kimball, Vladimir A. Bashilov, and Leonid T. Yablonsky. As rare as this ancient weapon is, it is even more rare to have survived complete being made of iron. Numerous diagrams in the book mentioned, show incomplete iron blade weapons, underlining the sheer scarcity of this prize specimen. This is the only dagger we have ever had the unique opportunity of offering and to have it complete with all anatomy makes it truly a once-in-a-lifetime acquisition! A highly recommended RARE primary weapon of this ancient horseback warrior nomad culture!
This artifact has been professionally cleaned and conserved in our lab, being treated with a special sealer developed and formulated by us specifically for ancient iron metal preservation. Ancient iron objects that are not properly cleaned and conserved, will continue to deteriorate and corrode over time, eventually falling apart.
WARNING: There is a STAGGERING number of fake "ancient" weapons on the market. Many being sold as "authentic" were never meant to deceive and were made as far back as 100 years ago as exact reproductions for museums to sell in their gift shops. Other examples are modern fabrications specifically intended to fool unwitting buyers. As fine quality intact, original specimens become more scarce, the techniques to fake these objects have become highly advanced. We have personally handled numerous well-done fakes with extremely convincing patinas. The degree to which the fakers have been able to replicate patina to disguise their work requires an expert examination by highly experienced individuals. It is common to find very reasonably priced weapons that are made up of part original and part modern components or wholly modern pieces displaying elaborate artificial patinas. All purchases should include a written guarantee of authenticity from the seller, with unconditional and lifetime return policies regarding such guarantee, such as we provide.
HISTORY
The Sarmatians, Scythians and Saka, were a large confederation of ancient Iranian horse nomadic peoples who dominated the Pontic Steppe from about the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD. These are grouped together as "East Iranians." The Sarmatians spoke an Iranian language that was derived from 'Old Iranian'. Eastern Sarmatian tribes used scale armor, and used a long lance called the contus, and bows in battle.
Originating in the central parts of the Eurasian Steppe, the Sarmatians were part of the wider Scythian cultures from Central Asia, who migrated into the territory of the Sauromatians in the southern Ural Mountains. They started migrating westward around the fourth and third centuries BC, coming to dominate the closely related Scythians by 200 BC. These nomads conquered the Sauromatians, resulting in an increased incidence of eastern Asiatic features in the Early Sarmatians, similar to those of the Sakas. At their greatest reported extent, around 100 BC, these tribes ranged from the Vistula River to the mouth of the Danube and eastward to the Volga, bordering the shores of the Black and Caspian seas, as well as the Caucasus to the south.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Scythian-Sarmatian cultures may have given rise to the Greek legends of Amazons. Graves of armed women have been found in southern Ukraine and Russia. David Anthony noted that approximately 20% of Scythian-Sarmatian "warrior graves" on the lower Don and lower Volga contained women dressed for battle as warriors and he asserts that encountering that cultural phenomenon "probably inspired the Greek tales about the Amazons."
In the first century AD, the Sarmatians began encroaching upon the Roman Empire in alliance with Germanic tribes. In the third century AD, their dominance of the Pontic Steppe was broken by the Germanic Goths. With the Hunnic invasions of the fourth century, many Sarmatians joined the Goths and other Germanic tribes (Vandals) in the settlement of the Western Roman Empire.
REFERENCES
- "Nomads of the Eurasian Steppes in the Early Iron Age" by Jeannine Davis-Kimball, Vladimir A. Bashilov, and Leonid T. Yablonsky
- "The Empire of the Steppes" by Rene Grousset
- "The Golden Deer of Eurasia: Scythian and Sarmatian Treasures from the Russian Steppes : the State Hermitage, Saint Petersburg, and the Archaeological Museum" Metropolitan Museum of Art
