Sintashta Woman Proto Indo Iranian (I0943)

The Sintashta culture, flourishing in the Southern Urals around 2200-1900 BCE, were a pivotal Bronze Age civilization. Renowned for their advanced metalworking, particularly in copper and bronze, they built fortified settlements and were among the first to domesticate horses and invent the chariot. This innovation revolutionized warfare and transportation across the Eurasian steppe. Archaeologists believe the Sintashta people spoke an Indo-Iranian language, potentially ancestral to languages like Sanskrit and Old Persian. Elaborate burial rituals, including horse sacrifices, hint at a complex and stratified society. The Sintashta culture's legacy is far-reaching, influencing subsequent cultures across the Eurasian steppe and potentially contributing to the spread of Indo-Iranian languages.