Uncovering the Truth: The 2,500-Year-Old Siberian Ice Maiden Mummy and the Story of Ancient Cannabis Use

Uncovering the Truth: The 2,500-Year-Old Siberian Ice Maiden Mummy and the Story of Ancient Cannabis Use
In 1993, Russian archaeologists made an extraordinary discovery on the Ukok Plateau near the Russia-China border. Acting on information about a grave robbery, they excavated the site and uncovered a giant block of ice, within which lay the mummified remains of a 25-year-old woman, now known as the Siberian Ice Maiden or the Princess of Ukok. Led by Natalia Polosmak, the archaeological team found that the Ice Maiden had intricate tattoos, providing a unique glimpse into the cultural practices of the Pazyryk people, a nomadic tribe that roamed the steppes over 2,500 years ago.
The Ice Maiden was found in a burial mound, surrounded by six horses arranged in a radial pattern, a testament to her high status and significance. The cold had impeccably preserved her remains, along with her burial artifacts, which included richly adorned garments and intricate jewelry. However, it was the elaborate tattoos on her skin that truly captured the imagination of the researchers and the public. These intricate designs, depicting mythological animals and possibly totemic symbols, revealed the artistry and cultural richness of the Pazyryk people, offering an unprecedented look at their beliefs, status symbols, and aesthetics.

Who was the Siberian Ice Maiden?

The Siberian Ice Maiden, locally known as the Princess of Ukok (Russian: Принце́сса Уко́ка), the Altai Princess (Russian: Алтайская принцесса), Devochka (“Girl”), and Ochy-bala (Russian: Очы-бала, the heroine of the Altaic epic), was a representative of the Pazyryk culture. This culture thrived between the 6th and 2nd centuries BC in the Siberian steppe.
Her discovery provided a fascinating insight into the Pazyryk people, known for their unique cultural practices, elaborate burial rites, and remarkable artistry, as evidenced by the intricate tattoos adorning her skin. The Ice Maiden’s well-preserved remains and the artifacts found with her offer invaluable information about the lifestyle, beliefs, and social structure of this ancient nomadic tribe.

The Siberian Ice Maiden Mummy

Polosmak and her team were guided by a border guard, Lt. Mikhail Chepanov, to a group of kurgans situated in a disputed territory between Russia and China. A kurgan is a burial mound filled with smaller sediment and covered with a pile of rocks. Typically, these mounds covered a tomb chamber, which contained a burial inside a log coffin, along with accompanying grave goods. These burial chambers were constructed from notched wood logs to form small cabins, resembling the semi-nomads’ winter shelters. The Ice Maiden’s tomb chamber was built in this manner, and the presence of wood and other organic materials has allowed for precise dating of her burial.

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The Siberian Ice Maiden, or Princess of Ukok, is a female mummy with tattoos from the 5th century BC. Altai Republic, Russia. #archaeostories : r/TattooDesigns

A dendrochronologist analyzed a core sample from the logs of her chamber, while organic matter from the horses’ stomachs was also examined. These analyses indicated that the Ice Maiden was buried in the spring, during the 5th century BC. The exceptional preservation of her remains and the detailed analysis of the burial context provide a vivid snapshot of the Pazyryk culture and its burial practices.
A shaft dug into the kurgan indicated that the grave had been robbed at some point, which allowed water and snow to seep into the Ice Maiden’s hollow burial chamber. The water collected, froze, and formed an ice block within the chamber. This ice never fully thawed due to the steppe climate, permafrost, and the protective layer of rocks piled on top of the mound, which deflected the sun’s rays. As a result, the contents of the burial remained frozen for 2,400 years, preserving them in remarkable condition until Polosmak’s excavation.

Exploring the Tomb

Inside the Ice Maiden’s tomb chamber was her coffin, crafted from a solid larch wood tree trunk and adorned with leather appliqués depicting deer figures. The chamber also contained two small wooden tables with tray-shaped tops, used to serve food and drink. On these tables, horsemeat and mutton had been placed, and the residue of a dairy product, possibly yogurt, was found in a wooden vessel with a carved handle and stirrer. Additionally, a horn cup held some type of beverage, intended to sustain her on her journey into the afterlife. These provisions and artifacts underscore the importance of ensuring the deceased was well-equipped for the afterlife according to the customs of the Pazyryk culture.

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The Truth About the Cannabis Use

The cause of the Ice Maiden’s death remained unknown until 2014, when new research suggested that she likely succumbed to breast cancer, combined with injuries sustained in a fall. In a 2004 article, the original researcher, Natalia Polosmak, mentioned that the woman likely used cannabis vapor as a necessity for pain relief, leading to a misconception that she was buried with cannabis. However, this is untrue; she was actually buried with coriander seeds, which were initially mistaken for cannabis.

The Ice Maiden’s burial items suggest she may have held the elevated status of a priestess in her community. Her preserved skin bears intricate animal-style deer tattoos on her shoulder, wrist, and thumb. She was interred wearing a yellow silk tussah blouse, a crimson-and-white striped wool skirt with a tassel belt, and thigh-high white felt leggings. Additionally, she had a marten fur, a small mirror made from polished metal and wood with carved deer figures, and an elaborate headdress nearly three feet tall. The size of the headdress required an eight-foot-long coffin. The headdress featured a wooden substructure with a molded felt covering and eight carved feline figures adorned with gold. Remains of coriander seeds found in a stone dish suggest they may have been provided for her medicinal use.
These findings offer a profound insight into the life and status of the Ice Maiden, revealing not only the causes of her death but also the cultural and ritualistic practices of the Pazyryk people.

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