Crypt mystery as 1,500-year-old ‘horse warrior’ buried with wife and kids found – and ‘may have been butchered by tribesmen’
AN ANCIENT warrior has been unearthed from a Russian crypt, buried alongside his wife and three children.
The discovery has sparked an archaeological mystery, with experts unable to confirm whether the family died from plague – or were butchered by local tribesmen.
The Russian crypt was littered with bodiesCredit: VOLNOYE DELO FUND
The family was buried 16 feet below groundCredit: VOLNOYE DELO FUND
Rare artefacts buried with the family indicate high status or wealth
Archaeologists say the “noble” family was buried at the site in Fanagoriya, Russia around 1,500 years ago.
The adult male skeleton was found buried with riding stirrups and spurs, according to the Russian Academy of Sciences.
He was also equipped with a sword-belt, which suggests he was a mounted warrior.
And the 16-foot-deep crypt also contained valuables, indicating wealth or high status.
Archaeologists think the family may have been butchered by local tribesmen
it’s likely the crypt belongs to a noble warrior familyCredit: VOLNOYE DELO FUND
It’s also possible that the family were 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed by plagueCredit: VOLNOYE DELO FUND
Skeletons were unearthed at the lost Russian city of Fanagoriya, founded by Ancient Greek colonistsCredit: VOLNOYE DELO FUND
This ancient warrior may have been like a real-life version of Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones.
“Judging by what we have found here, the man served the city’s army,” said Aleksei Voroshilov, who led the dig.
“He was a horseman, because we found riding stirrups and spurs too.
“There is also a leather harness attached to a belt, which was used to carry a sword.
“The buckles on the harness are really worn out, which means this warrior has seen a lot of fighting.
“He was unsheathing and sheathing his sword again and again.”
The long-dead warrior was also buried alongside his wife and three children.
It’s not clear how they died, but archaeologists believe they may have been 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed by the plague.
Another leading theory is that they were butchered by nomadic tribesmen in the local area.