For the first time in Kaliningrad – exhibition from Azov

Exhibition "Treasure of the Steppes" was opened on 18 December in the Kaliningrad Regional Amber Museum. For the first time in Kaliningrad the exposition presents works of the Sarmatians' decorative and applied art of the 4th century BC  – 4th century AD from collection of the Azov History, Archeology and Paleontology Museum-Reserve 

Galina Yankovskaya – chair of the Committee for social policy, health care, education, culture and sports of the Kaliningrad Regional Duma took part in the opening ceremony. In her speech, she expressed fascination with work of the Amber Museum's team, thanks to which Kaliningraders and guests of the city can see showpieces from the archeological collection of the Azov Museum-Reserve. She told that being a student of the history faculty of the Volgograd Pedagogical Institute, she participated in the excavations in the same places, where the unique troves of the Sarmatian time were found.

Galina Yankovskaya handed over to the museum's team a letter with congratulations to the opening of the exhibition from the Chairperson of the Kaliningrad Regional Duma Marina Orgeeva. It also expresses hope that it is not only the beginning of the long and successful collaboration of two wonderful museums, but also contribution to the strengthening of mutually beneficial partner contacts in different spheres between our regions..

Guests from Azov – Marina Filimonova, senior researcher, conservator of the museum's precious metal and armory collections and Irina Gusach, senior researcher, conservator of the archeological collection – told about their museum and its unique showpieces.

The Azov Museum-Reserve was founded in 1917. Unique items of the archeological and paleontological museum collections, including over 350 000 showpieces, are presented in twenty two exhibition halls. For many years museum's team has been conducting archeological research on the territory of the city and region, that is why its archeological collection is one of the biggest in Russia. It includes artworks showing history of the numerous tribes inhabiting Don region in different times.

There will be objects found in burial mounds of the Sarmatian time (4 century – 4 century AD) presented in the Amber Museum. The showpieces feature the cultural distinction of this ancient steppe people that lived once on the territory of Rostov region. 

The Sarmatians is the generalizing name of the aggressive nomadic pastoralist tribes, who inhabited the steppe of the Southern Ural in the East till the separating ridge of the rivers Tisa and Danube in the West. They left unique and various pieces of decorative and applied art behind, keeping images of the Sarmatians' military glory, their nomadic way of life, distinctiveness of the complicated ornamental motives of the so called "animalistic style".

The Sarmatians, like other nomadic tribes, set a high value on gold. According to their beliefs, by means of this noble metal happened the connection between gods and spirits.There were always golden items – vessels, arms, adornments, household objects – present in the burials of Sarmatian rulers.  

The opening ceremony of the exposition "Treasure of the Steppes" was accompanied by violoncello. Played by the Kaliningrad musician Irina Danchenko. 

The exhibition will work in the Amber Museum until 14 February 2016.