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The BP exhibition

 

Scythians
warriors of
ancient Siberia

 

14 September 2017 – 14 January 2018

#Scythians

 

This exhibition has now closed.

 

Supported by BPBP logo

Organised with the State Hermitage Museum,
St Petersburg, Russia

The BP exhibition

Scythians
warriors of
ancient Siberia

 

14 September 2017 –
14 January 2018

#Scythians

Supported by BP BP logo

This exhibition has now closed.


Organised with the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia

★★★★★ 
‘thrilling journey’
The Telegraph

★★★★★ 
‘utterly riveting and revelatory’
The Times

★★★★★ 
‘magical’
The Observer

★★★★ 
‘beguiling’
The Guardian

★★★★★ 
‘spectacular’
The Sunday Times

★★★★★ 
‘unmissable… a close encounter with a fierce and sophisticated culture’
Time Out

2,500 years ago groups of formidable warriors roamed the vast open plains of Siberia. Feared, loathed, admired – but over time forgotten… Until now.


This major exhibition explores the story of the Scythians – nomadic tribes and masters of mounted warfare, who flourished between 900 and 200 BC. Their encounters with the Greeks, Assyrians and Persians were written into history but for centuries all trace of their culture was lost – buried beneath the ice.

More about the exhibition

 

 

Discoveries of ancient tombs have unearthed a wealth of Scythian treasures. Amazingly preserved in the permafrost, clothes and fabrics, food and weapons, spectacular gold jewellery – even mummified warriors and horses – are revealing the truth about these people’s lives. These incredible finds tell the story of a rich civilisation, which eventually stretched from its homeland in Siberia as far as the Black Sea and even the edge of China.

Many of the objects in this stunning exhibition are on loan from the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Scientists and archaeologists are continuing to discover more about these warriors and bring their stories back to life.

Explore their lost world and discover the splendour, the sophistication and the sheer power of the mysterious Scythians.

Who were
the Scythians?
The Scythians: an audio introduction
Highlight
objects
Ice mummies
and burial mounds
The Scythians: inspiration for Game of Thrones?
Bringing the
Scythians to London

 

Audio commentary

Discover more about the Scythians in our exclusive curators’ commentary, available to buy from iTunes and Google Play.

Google Play Music

 

Membership

See the exhibition free as a Member

Tickets

Adults £16.50, under 16s free

This exhibition has now closed.

 

 

Opening times

14 September 2017 –
14 January 2018
Last entry 80 minutes before closing
Full opening times 

Getting here

Room 30, British Museum,
Great Russell Street, London,
WC1B 3DG

Group visits

Special group rates available
Bookings +44 (0)20 7323 8181 tickets@britishmuseum.org

 

Opening times

14 September 2017 –
14 January 2018
Last entry 80 minutes before closing
Full opening times

Getting here

Room 30, British Museum,
Great Russell Street, London,
WC1B 3DG

Group visits

Special group rates available
Bookings +44 (0)20 7323 8181 tickets@britishmuseum.org

 

Lead image: Gold plaque of a mounted Scythian. Black Sea region, c. 400–350 BC. © The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, 2017. Photo: V Terebenin.