Created 6th-7th Centuries AD Identification 1912,0610.1-22 (BM) | Period/culture Nomad | |
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Material Silver and precious stones Present location National Historical Museum of Ukraine and British Museum | ||
Martynivka Treasure (Ukrainian: Мартинівський скарб, Martynivsky skarb) is a hoard consisting of 116 silver items (weighing about 3.3 kg) found in 1909, in the village of Martynivka, Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine. The treasure is currently preserved at the National Historical Museum of Ukraine in Kiev and the British Museum in London. It is dated approximately to the 6th-7th centuries AD.
Contents
Origin
Historians proposed different theories for the culture whicf this treasure could have belonged. The most popular hypothesis connects this hoard with Penkovo culture of Antes.
Description
The hoard includes four anthropomorphic silver figurines of 'dancing men' (Ukrainian newspapers sometimes refer to them as 'aliens' for their unusual appearance), five animal figurines, three fibulas, a radiate-head brooch, six armlets, tiaras, ear rings, neck rings, buckles, belt-fittings and horse harnesses. The style of figurines is sometimes considered as influenced by Huns, Bulgars or Avars.