The silver bowls on display were found during excavations at the “Sadovy” kurgan, which was discovered in 1962. It is located on the outskirts of Novocherkassk. “Sadovy” was part of a larger burial site, known as the Khokhlach complex. In that area, in 1864, the Novocherkassk hoard was discovered. It was a Sarmatian treasure trove that included gold, silver and bronze artifacts and jewelry. The items are dated to the 1st century and kept in the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
A burial chamber was discovered under the mound at the “Sadovy” site. It contained various artifacts: a silver louterion (a vessel for ablutions), parts of horse harnesses, gold plaques, and silver bowls.
Silver bowls are characteristic of late Hellenistic art and may have been produced in the Mediterranean region. Sicily was one such center of silverware production. Researchers also note works of artisans from Alexandria and Asia Minor.
The bowls on display are hemispherical in shape. Their outer surface is smooth. The inner surface features a pattern of stamped feathers. The bowls are gilded on the inside. In the center there are overlaid medallions depicting scenes from Greek mythology.
Three medallions show images of sea waves and nereids, marine goddesses. They sit on hippocampi — sea monsters with the bodies of horses and fish tails. Two medallions depict scenes from the Trojan War myth: sea waves with nereids riding on tritons, which are sea deities with human bodies and fish tails. The characters from the ancient Greek Trojan War myth carry weapons for Achilles, one of the participants in the war and a major character in Homer’s “Iliad”. These weapons were forged by Hephaestus, the god of fire and blacksmith. On one medallion, a nereid is shown holding a sword, while a triton carries a shield and trident. Another medallion features a nereid wearing a helmet and a triton carrying a shell.
Based on the characteristics of the burial site and the funeral ceremony, the burial mound “Sadovy” can be dated back to the 1st century. Researchers are confident that these findings indicate that a highly prominent member of the tribal elite from one of the Sarmatian tribes may have been interred in this burial mound.
Based on the characteristics of the burial site and the type of funeral rite, the grave in the “Sadovy” kurgan can be dated to the 1st century. Researchers are confident that these findings prove that a very wealthy member of the elite from one of the Sarmatian tribes may have been interred in this tumulus.
