On the Find of a Phalera Made from the Medallion of a Hellenistic Cup in Barrow No. 20 of the Noin-Ula Burial-Ground (Northern Mongolia)

Abstract

The paper explores a uniquephalera(horse brass) found in Noin-Ula Barrow No. 20 (Northern Mongolia). The form and decoration of the medallion, its style and the composition of the scene (depicting a satyr chasing a maenad – a subject which can be traced back to metal-working of the 4th centurybc) – show that thephaleramust have been made between the late-2nd or mid-1st centurybc, most probably in a Pontic workshop and from the medallion of a silver plate, aphialeor a conic cup, perhaps manufactured in Asia Minor in the second half of the 1st centurybc. Thephalerawas placed in a Hunnu burial-ground no later than in the middle of the 1st centuryad, since a Chinese lacquered cup dated to the fourth year of the Yuanyan Era (9bc) was found in the same grave. Thephalerais to date the easternmost find of Hellenistic silver plate.

Prehistoric Mongolian Archaeology in the Early 21st Century: Developments in the Steppe and Beyond

“…However, it is the textiles from the original Noyon Uul excavations that were the icons of the hybrid Eurasian style and trade system of the Xiongnu. Recently, this position as icons of Xiongnu engagement with Eurasia as a whole has been displayed in decorated silver horse harness ornaments excavated from both Gol Mod and Noyon Uul (Erööl-Erdene 2011; Polosmak et al 2011;Treister 2016). These include depictions of animals including a single-horned gazelle and a medallion depicting a Hellenistic-style scene of a satyr and a nymph.…”

Elite, Wine Consumption and Status Symbols in Ancient Chorasmia

“…This satyr is a local re-elaboration of the western type. For a Hellenistic silver vessel depicting a satyr accompanied by a maenad found at Noin-Ula, seeEregzen 2011, 128-129; Polos'mak et alii 2011, 110-117;Treister 2016.…”