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| Iranic Scythian Warrior |
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
As an Iranian-American, ex-Muslim, and proud advocate for the historical truth of the Indo-Iranian peoples, I cannot stand by while attempts are made to erase the deep, documented connections between Scythians (Saka), Sarmatians, and Iranians. The claim that Scytho-Sarmatian heritage has nothing to do with Iranians, alleging that these peoples are Turkic based on selective DNA interpretations and cultural misattributions, is not only historically inaccurate but reveals an agenda to rewrite history. Let us address this point by point, grounded in archaeological, genetic, linguistic, and cultural evidence.
1. The Indo-Aryan and Indo-Iranian Thesis
The assertion that the "Indo-Aryan thesis" or "Iranian thesis" was a Western invention is patently false. The Indo-Iranian languages and peoples were studied extensively because of clear linguistic and cultural ties across Eurasia, predating modern Western academia. The Indo-Iranian languages, a branch of the Indo-European family, include Persian, Pashto, Kurdish, and others. These languages have shared roots with Sanskrit, reflecting the common heritage of Indo-Aryan migrations.
Archaeological evidence supports this connection. The Andronovo and Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complexes (BMAC), which are firmly located in Central Asia, reveal continuity with the material culture of early Iranian peoples. This predates any Turkic migrations into the region by thousands of years【1】【2】.
2. Scythians (Saka), Sarmatians, and Iranian Identity
The Scythians and Sarmatians were Iranian-speaking nomadic peoples whose presence spanned the Eurasian steppes. These groups left behind a wealth of evidence linking them to Iranian culture:
- Language: Numerous ancient inscriptions, including those in Greek and Persian sources, identify Scythians and Sarmatians as speaking Iranian languages. For example, the names of Scythian deities recorded by Herodotus correspond closely with Iranian deities like Mithra, Ahura Mazda, and Anahita【3】.
- Burial Practices: Claims that Iranians never practiced horse burials or Kurgan traditions ignore evidence from the steppe. Scythian kurgans in the Pontic-Caspian Steppe, such as those at Pazyryk, show intricate burial practices involving horses and warriors—traditions that align with Zoroastrian reverence for animals and chariots【4】.
- Genetic Evidence: Ancient DNA from Scythian and Sarmatian remains reveals strong affinities with modern Iranian populations, particularly those in Central Asia and the Caucasus. While Turkic populations also left their mark in the region, they arrived much later, during the first millennium CE【5】【6】.
3. Cultural Misappropriations: The Case of "Balbals"
The balbal—stone statues associated with Turkic cultures—are not exclusive to Turks. Similar statues are found in Scythian and Sarmatian sites, predating Turkic influences. Scythian art is renowned for its animal motifs, detailed weaponry, and ceremonial objects, which were later adopted and adapted by Turkic peoples as they moved westward【7】.
4. Kurgans and "Swing Ceiling Techniques"
The assertion that Kurgan burial mounds are exclusively Turkic disregards their presence long before Turkic migrations. The earliest Kurgans date back to the Yamnaya culture (circa 3300–2600 BCE), which is linked to Proto-Indo-European societies. These burial mounds spread through the steppe into regions inhabited by Iranian-speaking peoples. Later Turkic groups did adopt Kurgan traditions, but they inherited rather than originated this practice【8】【9】.
As for the "swing ceiling technique," this appears to be a misrepresentation. Scythian Kurgans were built using complex wooden frameworks, but these methods were developed independently and show no definitive Turkic origin. To attribute them solely to Turkic cultures is historically inaccurate.
Conclusion
The Iranian connection to the Scythians and Sarmatians is an undeniable part of history, supported by linguistic, archaeological, and genetic evidence. The attempts to erase this connection and attribute it solely to Turkic peoples are based on flawed interpretations and historical revisionism. While Turkic cultures have undeniably influenced the region, their arrival was far later than the flourishing of Scythian and Sarmatian civilizations.
As Iranian-Americans, we take pride in the legacy of the Scythians and Sarmatians, who were among the greatest horse warriors and craftsmen of the ancient world. Their legacy endures in the Persian language, Zoroastrian traditions, and the art and culture of the Iranian plateau.
Let us preserve history with honesty and integrity, embracing the rich tapestry of cultures that have shaped our shared human heritage.
Citations
- Mallory, J. P., & Adams, D. Q. (1997). Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture. Fitzroy Dearborn.
- Anthony, D. W. (2007). The Horse, the Wheel, and Language: How Bronze-Age Riders from the Eurasian Steppes Shaped the Modern World. Princeton University Press.
- Herodotus. The Histories. Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt, Penguin Classics.
- Harmatta, J. (1994). "Scythians," in History of Civilizations of Central Asia. UNESCO Publishing.
- Unterländer, M., et al. (2017). "Ancestry and demography and descendants of Iron Age nomads of the Eurasian Steppe." Nature Communications.
- Grousset, R. (1970). The Empire of the Steppes: A History of Central Asia. Rutgers University Press.
- Yablonsky, L. T. (2000). "The Material Culture of the Sarmatians." Archaeology and History of the Eurasian Steppe.
- Kuzmina, E. E. (2007). The Origin of the Indo-Iranians. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Mair, V. H. (Ed.). (2006). Contact and Exchange in the Ancient World. University of Hawaii Press.
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