Treasure trove of Sarmatian jewellery unearthed in Russia

In 2015 a trove of ancient jewellery was found in the grave of a woman dating to the first century AD. She was a Sarmatian - a group of people who worshipped fire and whose unmatched skills in warfare was seen as the inspiration for the Amazons of Greek mythology. Sarmatian women were feared as much as much as men. The discovery of the intact burial mound in Russia was described as 'priceless' by archaeologists.

Sarmatian cataphracts during Dacian Wars as depicted on Trajan's Column.

The Sarmatians were nomadic people who migrated from central Asia to the Ural mountains between the 6th and 4th century BC. They were fierce warriors who fought on horseback. Their archery skills were famed throughout the ancient world. As well as gold and silver jewellery, experts found more than 100 iron arrowheads in the grave, as well as a horse harness.

Next to the skull were gold earrings.

The noblewoman's grave and treasures are in a group of at least 29 burial mounds that came to light during the construction of an airport serving Rostov-on-Don. Archaeologist Roman Mimokhod said: 'Most of the burials on this site are plundered and, of course, it is great luck to find an intact one.'

Gold vial

A 'hiding place' in the grave contained a collection of knives and an unfinished sword with brooches on its handle. One of the most unusual things about the finds is that items in the burial were dated from the first century BC to the first century AD. At her feet there were fragments of a bronze bucket with the image of the Gorgon's head.

A Sarmatian diadem, found at the Khokhlach kurgan near Novocherkassk (1st century AD, Hermitage Museum).