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Treasures of the Odessa region number 4. Borodino treasure. Part 2

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Category: Articles and Publications

Created on Friday, 16 August 2013 12:08

As promised, now we will have a detailed look at the subjects of Borodino (Bessarabian) treasure. Shapes and patterns of all finds were unique, unparalleled in any known ancient cultures...

So, in the last article, we stopped at the spears and will begin with them. - Or rather, continue! Complex patterns consisting of three zones, is decorated with a large bush spears. The top bar of the pattern is a double zigzag with diamonds in the corners. The finest line drawing of small incisions along the entire blade covers all spear.

Bushing of the second spear is not so exquisitely executed. The pattern of the triangles in the form of two strips of gold, the inside of which creates the illusion of the relief due to the combination of gold and silver.
Bush of the third spear is a gold plate with a pattern in the form of a spiral with a built-in triangles. Stands out above the gold stripe line of triangles, each of which has within it a picture in a meander shape.
Spear with the same pattern is not rare in the Urals, the Volga region, Siberia and the North Caucasus. They were found in the rich burial tombs dating back to the II millennium BC. e. (XV-XVI centuries. BC. E.). In the archaeological classification they belong to the weapon of the Seima-Turbino type.
In a similar technique performed the dagger of Borodino treasure. Silver blade and handle are cast in the same mold through a hole on the edge of the blade. Then work piece was carefully forged, polished and sharpened slightly. In the arm holes decorative panels were attached handles, which, unfortunately, have not survived. It is assumed that they could be made from the bone or wood. The naked eye can see that the shape of the Mycenaean daggers and Borodino in many ways is identical. Incrustation technique, position and shape of patterns, jeweler and foundry work, the same pad in the shape of the blade... Appearing the same pattern in the form of the familiar triskel of Mycenaean tombs and other monuments of the Aegean world in the middle of II millennium BC.
In a similar style is made a silver pin of the Borodino treasure. Its length is more than 31 cm and weight of 173.5 g. Pin fastened and decorated the clothing. Cord, threaded hole in the bonnet pins, it secured and bag hung in the clothes. The massiveness of the pins, its refined decoration and expensive materials prove that it was made as a ceremonial adornment. The form of the pins has no analogies. However, the patterns in the form of lilies and spirals again reminiscent of similar patterns in the Mycenaean tombs, with the only difference being that the images are added to a pin triangles, pointing to some influence of Eastern cultures.
All three maces of Borodino treasure are made out of white stone of talc rock. They are extremely elegant, well-polished and drilled. The two clubs are almost spherical, slightly flattened shape, and the third one is more rare and of fanciful shape. Slightly elongated ovoid form, from which four of the appendix in the form of hemispheres appear. Such forms of clubs are quite common in the Bronze Age monuments in the territories of the Northern Black Sea, the Caucasus and the Volga region. They are most often found in rich graves and tombs of the patriarchs and leaders, or characteristic of many ancient people.
However, the highlight of Borodino treasure may be called four stone axes. In their elegance, perfection of form, harmony of proportions and high quality surface treatment, they have no equals among the thousands of finds.
Both ax and Battleaxe are made of a dark green and variegated jade, inferior in strength only to a diamond! Despite the difficulty in processing all axes are carefully polished with quartz sand. 

In conclusion we can say that all items of Borodino treasure are exceptionally artistic and of historical value. It was a treasure in those days, when it was buried, because the items do not bear traces of use. About the wealth and power of a man who went to the grave with precious objects, we can only speculate. We can only say with certainty that his authority extended into many tribes and clans, as evidenced by maces - symbols of power in ancient times.  The similarity of the patterns on all subjects says that they were produced in the same time and possibly by one master. And although their forms are similar to the products of Aegean cultures of the world, from Siberia and Eastern Europe, they are a mix of southern, western and eastern influences that creatively merged into a single style of local artists. Currently, you can admire the treasure at the Historical Museum, located on the Red Square in Moscow.

Valery Sinkovsky, by source http://za-babki.ru

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