Scythian points
What is a Scythian Point? A Scythian, or Irano-Scythian projectile point is a type of point that is trilobate in shape as opposed to leaf shaped. The Scythians received credit for inventing this type of arrowhead. This type of point dates predominately from the 7th to 4th centuries BC Often trilobate points were made of bronze because that material was more conducive to the production of mold made points like this. This type of arrow is socketed at one end. The shaft of the arrow would have been inserted into the socket. Trilobate points were better for piercing armor than the other leaf shaped variety. Also, they were lighter. Archers used trilobate points with compound bows, made of several pieces of wood connected with glue, tendons, or cord. This increased the force of an arrow shot from the bow. The arrow flew further than with a simple bow. When the Scythians came into contact with forces in the Near East like Assyria it is probable that the use of the trilobate point spread to other groups because this type of projectile point proved useful against armor.
The Scythians
Who were the Scythians? Most information about the Scythians comes from Herodotus' Book Four where he describes the lifestyle of the Scythians. The Scythians moved from central Asia to the region of the Black Sea sometime in the late 700's BC The Scythians were at their height in the Near East during the period between the 8th and 4th centuries BC They were a nomadic group traveling from location to location in search of food, trade goods, and pasture. They based their economy on herding sheep and goats. There is indication that they were skilled horsemen that fought as mercenaries for various groups in the Ancient Near East. The Scythian mounted archers were an important element in battle. Due to their nomadic lifestyle, much of what archaeologists know about the Scythian culture comes from their rich burials, which contained examples of art and weaponry crafted by their skilled metalworkers.
Where do we find mention of the Scythians in the Ancient Near East? One 9th century relief from Assyria shows mounted archers, which may be Scythian. The first mention of the Scythians in the ancient Near East comes from Assyrian texts dated to the 8th century BC during the reign of Sargon II (721-705 BC). The Assyrians called them the Ashkuzi. Esarhaddon, another Assyrian king (680-669 BC), claims to have defeated them in 676 BC Later, the Assyrians and the Scythians formed an alliance when Esarhaddon married his daughter to Bartatua, the king of the Scythians. In addition to the Scythian connections to Assyria, they may be the Ashkenaz mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament in Jeremiah 51:27 or the northern foes of Jeremiah 4-6 and 8-9.