The appliqués from the collection of the Astrakhan Museum Reserve were found in the course of archaeological excavations near the Komsomolsky village of Krasnoyarsky District in the Astrakhan Region in 1987–1988.
The buried items gave to the researchers an idea that the woman was a family or clan priestess high-ranked in the society during her lifetime. Such sewn-on appliqués were used as decor details for clothes, horse blankets or worship textile items. In the present case, two types of appliqués have survived: hemispherical and zoomorphic, in the shape of ram heads with horns. The hem of the priestess’s dress and the front sides of the sleeves from wrists to elbows were decorated with the appliqués. Experts were even able to restore the pattern: the decorative frieze (strip) is bordered with stripes of zoomorphic appliqués at the top and bottom. The zoomorphic patterns alternate with hemispherical ones sewn as rhombuses.
According to scientists, the appliqués were crafted around the 1st or 2nd centuries AD. In those times, ancient craftsmen often decorated their art pieces with images of animals playing important roles in the religious and worship believes of the Sarmatians. The ram was one of the most popular symbols. It was often depicted on ceremonial dishes, decorations of horse harnesses, weapons, and jewelry. The ancient Iranian peoples believed that the ram personified ‘heavenly grace’, that’s why a Sarmatian had it on hand everywhere: in his or her everyday life and battles, in earthly and afterlife. Of course, the ‘ram worship’ did not arise out of nowhere. Rams were one of the most valuable animals supporting nomads’ lives: due to meat, milk and wool. A number of objects even imitated ram’s wool to gain special magic as the Sarmatians thought. The ram skin and wool were valued as a symbol of prosperity, abundant harvest and fertility. They were used in the worship ceremonies. Also, the rams were sacrificed.
In 2005, the appliqués and other archaeological finds from the Astrakhan Museum Reserve were exhibited at the Astrakhan Steppe Treasures show in Rome.
The buried items gave to the researchers an idea that the woman was a family or clan priestess high-ranked in the society during her lifetime. Such sewn-on appliqués were used as decor details for clothes, horse blankets or worship textile items. In the present case, two types of appliqués have survived: hemispherical and zoomorphic, in the shape of ram heads with horns. The hem of the priestess’s dress and the front sides of the sleeves from wrists to elbows were decorated with the appliqués. Experts were even able to restore the pattern: the decorative frieze (strip) is bordered with stripes of zoomorphic appliqués at the top and bottom. The zoomorphic patterns alternate with hemispherical ones sewn as rhombuses.
According to scientists, the appliqués were crafted around the 1st or 2nd centuries AD. In those times, ancient craftsmen often decorated their art pieces with images of animals playing important roles in the religious and worship believes of the Sarmatians. The ram was one of the most popular symbols. It was often depicted on ceremonial dishes, decorations of horse harnesses, weapons, and jewelry. The ancient Iranian peoples believed that the ram personified ‘heavenly grace’, that’s why a Sarmatian had it on hand everywhere: in his or her everyday life and battles, in earthly and afterlife. Of course, the ‘ram worship’ did not arise out of nowhere. Rams were one of the most valuable animals supporting nomads’ lives: due to meat, milk and wool. A number of objects even imitated ram’s wool to gain special magic as the Sarmatians thought. The ram skin and wool were valued as a symbol of prosperity, abundant harvest and fertility. They were used in the worship ceremonies. Also, the rams were sacrificed.
In 2005, the appliqués and other archaeological finds from the Astrakhan Museum Reserve were exhibited at the Astrakhan Steppe Treasures show in Rome.
