Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
A recent genetic study has upended the traditional view of Scythian origins. Drawing on genetics and history, this documentary covers the origins of the Scythians, from the Proto-Indo-European period through their decline in the 1st century BC. Drawing on the latest genetic studies combined with classical history, the earlier view of Scythian origins is completely rewritten.
Video Chapters
00:00 - The Sons of Aryaman
01:12 - From Proto-Indo-European to Fatyanavo
03:39 - The Abashevo and the Central European connection
05:30 - The Steppe Explosion: Sintashta, Androvono, Srubnaya
09:54 - The Steppe Iranians Emerge
13:14 - Eastern Influence
15:52 - The Scythians & the Cimmerians
18:50 - The autochthonous people
22:43 - The Cimmerians in history
26:44 - The Middle East Cimmerian Adventure
31:12 - The Scythians Historical Rise & Culture
39:16 - The Scythian raids in the Middle East and Europe
42:15 - The Scythian relationship with Greeks
43:31 - Battles with the Persians & More
47:32 - The Macedonians
49:54 - The Scythian decline
To support the channel and get ad-free videos, extra content, discussion, requests, etc, become a member of the channel on YouTube or on Patreon
patreon.com/fortressoflugh
You can also send me a SUPER THANKS, which is greatly appreciated
OR
Paypal donations (Greatly appreciated)
paypal.me/FortressofLug?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US
Some music used in this video is composed by Vaget:
vaget.bandcamp.com
Historical reconstruction artwork
- Ancestral Whispers: ancestralwhispers.org
- Samson Goetze: artstation.com/samsongoetze
- Evgeny Kray : vk.com/id387122112?fbclid=IwAR2xn8W8gzStz4NYs_5ta2-c2Os3v2_30E8vaFzofd7XXuF2_M02lMXzwP8
Cover image Scythian photo by Alexander Schultz with the Archaeology Institute of Ukraine
facebook.com/alexander.schultz.902
I was unable to find some of the artists of some artwork used. If your artwork was included please contact me so I can credit you.
You can find me on
Twitter/X
twitter.com/FortressLugh
Facebook
facebook.com/FortressofLugh
Website
fortressoflugh.com
Fatyanovo/Abashevo study
researchgate.net publication/370414570_Ancient_DNA_of_the_Bearers_of_the_Fatyanovo_and_Abashevo_Cultures_Concerning_Migrations_of_the_Bronze_Age_people_in_the_Forest_Belt_on_the_Russian_Plain
Scythian genetic study
science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads8179
A recent genetic study has upended the traditional view of Scythian origins. Drawing on genetics and history, this documentary covers the origins of the Scythians, from the Proto-Indo-European period through their decline in the 1st century BC. Drawing on the latest genetic studies combined with classical history, the earlier view of Scythian origins is completely rewritten.
Video Chapters
00:00 - The Sons of Aryaman
01:12 - From Proto-Indo-European to Fatyanavo
03:39 - The Abashevo and the Central European connection
05:30 - The Steppe Explosion: Sintashta, Androvono, Srubnaya
09:54 - The Steppe Iranians Emerge
13:14 - Eastern Influence
15:52 - The Scythians & the Cimmerians
18:50 - The autochthonous people
22:43 - The Cimmerians in history
26:44 - The Middle East Cimmerian Adventure
31:12 - The Scythians Historical Rise & Culture
39:16 - The Scythian raids in the Middle East and Europe
42:15 - The Scythian relationship with Greeks
43:31 - Battles with the Persians & More
47:32 - The Macedonians
49:54 - The Scythian decline
To support the channel and get ad-free videos, extra content, discussion, requests, etc, become a member of the channel on YouTube or on Patreon
patreon.com/fortressoflugh
You can also send me a SUPER THANKS, which is greatly appreciated
OR
Paypal donations (Greatly appreciated)
paypal.me/FortressofLug?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US
Some music used in this video is composed by Vaget:
vaget.bandcamp.com
Historical reconstruction artwork
- Ancestral Whispers: ancestralwhispers.org
- Samson Goetze: artstation.com/samsongoetze
- Evgeny Kray : vk.com/id387122112?fbclid=IwAR2xn8W8gzStz4NYs_5ta2-c2Os3v2_30E8vaFzofd7XXuF2_M02lMXzwP8
Cover image Scythian photo by Alexander Schultz with the Archaeology Institute of Ukraine
facebook.com/alexander.schultz.902
I was unable to find some of the artists of some artwork used. If your artwork was included please contact me so I can credit you.
You can find me on
Twitter/X
twitter.com/FortressLugh
facebook.com/FortressofLugh
Website
fortressoflugh.com
Fatyanovo/Abashevo study
researchgate.net publication/370414570_Ancient_DNA_of_the_Bearers_of_the_Fatyanovo_and_Abashevo_Cultures_Concerning_Migrations_of_the_Bronze_Age_people_in_the_Forest_Belt_on_the_Russian_Plain
Scythian genetic study
science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads8179
