The set of horse gear was found in 1987 in the sepulchral mound Valovy — I in the burial of a warrior. The items were placed at the feet of the buried person partially under a bronze and wooden dishes. The bridle was decorated by cast silver beads and two silver phalerae — decorative elements.
Archeologists also found on the site eight wooden fish figurines covered by thin gold foil. The fish tails were marked by pressed through lines, the scales — by fine cross-grid pattern. Cuts were made in place of eyes and lateral fins, the wood was painted with red lacquer. The fish figurines were attached to a leather strap by clamps.
The technique of making and attaching the wooden figurines was interesting. Before a fish was covered by foil, a rectangular indent was made in its back, a hole was bored through to insert a bronze loop in it. The ends of the loop were bent. The figurine was attached to the leather strap, the hole in the back was closed by a special rectangular wooden ‘plug’. Then the fish was covered by foil, details pressed though, eyes and fins painted.
The phalerae were made of a circular silver plate. One of them is free from ornament, the other has a tamga-like sign on its face — a brandiron, a tribal mark. The Sarmatians had it on many things: utensils, weapons, gear. Tamga meant belonging to a certain family or tribe, indicated ownership or authorship of an item, was used as an amulet and a sign of cult, a magic symbol of ancient nomads. This one is made in the technique of gold inlay and constitute three oval rings connected by straight lines.
Archeologists also found on the site eight wooden fish figurines covered by thin gold foil. The fish tails were marked by pressed through lines, the scales — by fine cross-grid pattern. Cuts were made in place of eyes and lateral fins, the wood was painted with red lacquer. The fish figurines were attached to a leather strap by clamps.
The technique of making and attaching the wooden figurines was interesting. Before a fish was covered by foil, a rectangular indent was made in its back, a hole was bored through to insert a bronze loop in it. The ends of the loop were bent. The figurine was attached to the leather strap, the hole in the back was closed by a special rectangular wooden ‘plug’. Then the fish was covered by foil, details pressed though, eyes and fins painted.
The phalerae were made of a circular silver plate. One of them is free from ornament, the other has a tamga-like sign on its face — a brandiron, a tribal mark. The Sarmatians had it on many things: utensils, weapons, gear. Tamga meant belonging to a certain family or tribe, indicated ownership or authorship of an item, was used as an amulet and a sign of cult, a magic symbol of ancient nomads. This one is made in the technique of gold inlay and constitute three oval rings connected by straight lines.
