Human and animal skin identified by palaeoproteomics in Scythian leather objects from Ukraine

ABSTRACT: Leather was one of the most important materials of nomadic Scythians, who used it for clothing, shoes, and quivers, amongst other objects. However, we have little information about the animal species utilised for Scythian leather production. In this first systematic study, we used palaeoproteomics methods to analyse the species in 45 samples of leather and two fur objects recovered from 18 burials excavated at 14 different Scythian sites in southern Ukraine, 3 of which were analysed by LC-MS/MS. Our results demonstrate that Scythians primarily used domesticated species such as sheep, goat, cattle, and horse for the production of leather, while the furs were made of wild animals such as fox, squirrel and feline species. The surprise discovery is the presence of two human skin samples, which for the first time provide direct evidence of the Greek historian Herodotus’ claim that Scythians used the skin of their dead enemies to manufacture leather trophy items, such as quiver covers. We argue that leather manufacture is not incompatible with a nomadic lifestyle and that Scythians possessed sophisticated leather production technologies that ensured stable supply of this essential material.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Exploris 480

ORGANISM(S): Sciuridae Felidae Bovidae Hominidae

TISSUE(S): Hair, Skin

SUBMITTER: Meaghan Mackie  

LAB HEAD: Matthew Collins

PROVIDER: PXD043533 | Pride | 2023-10-27

REPOSITORIES: Pride