Reconstructing Images of ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ from Arzhan-2 Mound: Features, Problems, Solutions

The article deals with the reconstruction of images of the ‘king’ and ‘queen’ from the Scythian burial complex Arzhan-2 (mid-to-late 7th century BC) undertaken through the use of archaeological and anthropological studies. Arzhan-2 is a monument of world significance located in the Valley of the Kings (Piy-Khemsky District, Republic of Tuva) and is a national heritage of Russia’s peoples. The mound was investigated in 1998–2004 by the Joint Expedition of the State Hermitage Museum (the branch headed by archaeologist K. Chugunov) and the German Archaeological Institute (the branch headed by H. Parzinger and A. Nagler). Goals. The paper seeks to reveal peculiarities and problems faced during the reconstruction of images of the Scythian ‘king’ and ‘queen’, ways of their solution, examines the impact of Russian scientists into the research of Scythian culture, and analyzes activities by associates of Tuva’s National Museum aimed to popularize and preserve monuments of history and culture. The investigation of this Tuva-based Scythian monument was associated with a number of critical questions, such as origins of the buried individuals, identification of respective period and culture, indigenousness, relations to other early nomads of Eurasia and especially to those of Minusinsk Hollow, Altay, Western Mongolia, as well as issues of their anthropology and appearances. Results. The article outlines the history of creation of the images of ‘king’ and ‘queen’, summarizes results of archaeological and anthropological studies by leading Russian researchers that proved instrumental in reconstructing actual appearances and garments of  the ‘royal couple’.

Arzhan-2, scientific reconstruction, image, burial complex, anthropological studies, archaeological collections, Scythian era, costumes, appearances

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