Who were the Scythians?

And what is the meaning of their strange tattoos?

In 1948, in the Altai Mountains of Siberia, four corpses were discovered within the permafrost. Sub-zero temperatures had preserved the bodies but turned their skin black.

Using carbon dating, researchers determined these natural mummies are over 3000 years old – men and women of a bronze age tribe known as the Scythians.

Though little is known about the Scythians, many Russians idolize them. In popular culture, they are portrayed as freedom-loving riders of the steppes. Some believe they were the first Russians, a “pure” race of noble warriors.

Recently, infrared light shone on their blackened skin revealed strange tattoos.

What do these tattoos tell us about the true identity of the Scythians?

The secrets is revealed in the premiere broadcast of Museum Secrets: Inside the State Hermitage Museum

Tattooed Mummies body text