Burials of Horsemen of the Scythian Time at the Zayukovo-3 Burial Ground

The article discusses two burials of horsemen from the Zayukovo-3 cemetery. Both burials included bridled riding horses decorated with plaques in the Scythian tradition, featuring images in the Scythian animal style. In sacrificial pit 16, a buckle in the form of a curled predator was found, while in sacrificial pit 17, the horse’s bridle was adorned with plaques in the form of bird heads similar to those found in the burial grounds of the Lower Volga region. Burial 142 contained a dagger with a bronze scabbard end made in the Koban version of the Scythian animal style, depicting a coiled panther. Additionally, in burial 125, which included sacrificial pit 16, imported items from Transcaucasia were discovered, such as glass beads and a silver gilded earring with a beaded pillar. The equestrian burials from the Scythian era Zayukovo-3 cemetery demonstrate various connections of the military elite in the foothills of the North Caucasus.