# The Clash of Nationalism and Science Over the Siberian Ice Maiden
Written on
Chapter 1: The Discovery of the Siberian Ice Maiden
On September 27, 2003, a powerful earthquake registering 7.3 on the Richter scale struck the Altai region of Russia, resulting in damage to approximately 300 homes and claiming three lives. In a locale where shamans still wield significant influence, many locals attributed this disaster to the disturbance of ancestral spirits, a fear rooted in events from a decade earlier.
In the summer of 1993, archaeologist Natalia Polosmak led a team in excavating the Ukok plateau, near the China-Russia border. After two months of unfruitful digging that yielded only decaying meat and six frozen horses, their efforts were rewarded when a jawbone appeared on July 19. Soon, a shoulder adorned with a striking blue tattoo came into view, revealing a mummy preserved in permafrost.
The media dubbed her the "Siberian Ice Maiden," a name that has become synonymous with this extraordinary find. While scientists celebrated the discovery, local communities viewed it as a violation of their cultural practices, believing that the dead should remain undisturbed. Thus, the Ice Maiden became a poignant symbol of the tensions between nationalism and scientific exploration.
I first wrote about the Siberian Ice Maiden in June 2021, and that article has since garnered over 104,000 views on Medium. It’s time to revisit this fascinating figure and examine the discord between scientific inquiry and cultural reverence surrounding her remains.
Section 1.1: Unveiling the Ice Maiden's Story
The Siberian Ice Maiden, a 25-year-old from the Pazyryk culture—a Scythian nomadic society thriving from the 6th to the 3rd centuries BC across Siberia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia—has captivated the world.
For a more comprehensive understanding of her significance, you can refer to my earlier article on the Siberian Ice Maiden. However, here’s a brief overview of what makes her remarkable:
Her most notable feature is a shoulder tattoo depicting a "griffin-like creature," described by Polosmak as a mythical animal typical of the Eurasian Steppes, characterized by a beak, antlers, and a twisted back. This creature appears in various art forms throughout the region. Additionally, the Ice Maiden bore a tattoo of a snow leopard devouring a sheep on her arm.
An MRI scan conducted by the Russian Academy of Sciences revealed that she succumbed to breast cancer, suggesting she endured considerable pain and used cannabis for relief, as evidenced by its presence in her burial site. Scans also indicated she suffered fractures from a fall off a horse shortly before her death.
Her burial ensemble included a wig adorned with a felt spike and leather birds, each progressively smaller. Contrary to previous reports, the wooden deer at the front of her wig was covered in gold foil, while the birds were leather.
In terms of her appearance, the Ice Maiden carried a cosmetic bag containing eyeliner made of vivianite, a blue-green mineral. Her clothing was elaborate, featuring a skirt composed of three horizontal strips in vibrant colors: crimson on top, pinkish-yellow in the middle, and red-wine at the bottom, complemented by a light silk shirt.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Ice Maiden's Elite Status
The Ice Maiden likely belonged to a high-status Scythian family, as evident from her lavish funeral, which included horses and a feast meant for the afterlife. Though her identity remains uncertain, theories suggest she may have been a princess, priestess, or even a priestess-queen. The wealth of artifacts buried with her indicates her death was a profound loss for her community.
The meticulous planning of her burial, which included items like eyeliner and medicinal cannabis, underscores the significance of her status. Given the limited knowledge we have about her culture, further research is imperative.
Section 1.2: Tradition vs. Science
The Altai Republic, an autonomous region in Russia that borders Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan, is home to the indigenous Altai people, a Turkic ethnic group constituting about 37% of the population. While the Ice Maiden belonged to the Scythian culture, which has historical ties to southern Ukraine and Russia, her discovery ignited feelings of nationalism among the Altaians.
As John Man, an expert on Steppe Empires, notes, the Ice Maiden is an ancestor to modern-day Altaians, much like the relationship between Native Americans and present-day New Yorkers. However, it’s crucial to recognize that the empires of the Eurasian Steppes were often multi-ethnic and differed in structure from those in the Near East, China, and Europe.
The Altai government took action following the Ice Maiden's discovery, designating Ukok as a protected area. In 1998, UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage site. However, the Ice Maiden's newfound fame, including a world tour that captivated audiences in Japan and Korea, left local residents feeling uneasy.
Rimma Erkinova, director of the Altai Museum, expressed her belief that the Ice Maiden should not have been unearthed. She warned that disturbing the dead could lead to dire consequences, a sentiment that resonates deeply within the Altai community.
In September 2003, these fears materialized when a series of earthquakes struck the Altai Republic, prompting numerous locals and politicians to attribute the calamity to the excavation of the Ice Maiden. Auelkhan Dzhatkambaev, the head of one affected district, passionately penned an open letter to the Altai government, asserting that exploiting the remains of the Ice Maiden contradicts fundamental human values, reflecting wisdom derived from centuries of tradition.
Chapter 2: The Return of the Ice Maiden
A decade of tension unfolded between scientific interests and traditional beliefs, culminating in August 2012 when Russian authorities finally returned the Ice Maiden to the Altai people. The government subsequently declared the Ukok plateau off-limits to archaeologists, much to the dismay of scientists eager to explore further.
This closure has left a treasure trove of knowledge in the Siberian permafrost largely unexplored, raising numerous questions about the Ice Maiden's role in her society, the nature of her tattoos, and the broader context of ancient trade networks.
We may never fully understand the significance of the Ice Maiden or the cultural practices of her people, but the mysteries of the Ukok plateau continue to intrigue us.
What are your thoughts on the nationalists' opposition to further research on the Ice Maiden? Should we prioritize advancing our understanding of ancient cultures or respecting local traditions? Share your views in the comments.
If you found this story engaging and wish to delve deeper into the artifacts discovered alongside the Ice Maiden, be sure to check out my previous article.
The Story Behind the Siberian Ice Maiden and Her Tattoos
A princess adorned with a griffin-like tattoo, buried with a cosmetic bag and six horses.
If you enjoyed this article and made it to the end, please show your support by clapping, highlighting, and sharing your feedback in the comments. Subscribe to my posts for more updates!
References
Polosmak, Natalia (October 1994). A Mummy Unearthed from the Pastures of Heaven National Geographic: 80–103.
Iconic 2,500 year old Siberian princess ‘died from breast cancer’, reveals MRI scan. Siberian Times.
Man, John (2017) The Amazons: The Real Warrior Women of the Ancient World.
Man, John (2019), Empire of Horses: The First Nomadic Civilization and the Making of China.