Materials from the Maikop burial mound in the Northern Caucasus relate to the Age of Metal, the mid-3rd century BC, and are regarded as among the most important pieces in the archaeological collection. A lavishly dressed nomadic chief was found in this burial mound, his head crowned with two gold diadems, with a heavy necklace consisting of several rows of beads in gold, sard and turquoise. Over the body was a canopy decorated with plaques in the form of a lion, the canopy supported on four hollow silver rods inserted into four cast figures of bulls, two of gold and two of bronze.

Gold and silver vessels found in this burial mound are of particular interest. One of them is decorated with chased representations of a landscape, both seen from land level and a bird's-eye view. The mound also contained copper and stone tools and flint arrow.

Arrow-Heads and a Dagger Blade Middle of the 3rd millenium BC Larger view

Figure of a Bull 3rd millenium BC Larger view