Physical Characteristics in the Black Sea Region

The Black Sea Region
Herodotus : The Massagetai’s clothing is similar to that of the Scythians. Their, “Belts, girdles, and headgear are all made of gold,” ( Histories , 1.215 = RECW 14.1 p305). Herodotus later gives a physical description of the Scythians who are said to be, “Bald from birth- both men and women- and have flat noses and large chins. They [...] wear Scythian clothes,” ( Histories , 4.23 = RECW 14.2 p 310). Herodotus also describes the warlike Scythians’ clothing, some of which is made from human skin. “Scythians also make cloaks like peasants’ clothes to wear out by stitching the scalps together. Many men also skin the right arm of their dead enemies up to their fingernails and make covers for their quivers. The skin of a human is both thick and bright white, brighter in whiteness, even than almost all skins,” ( Histories , 4,64 = RECW 14.2 p313). Why a warrior would want an extremely brightly colored cover for their quiver is unknown. There are also the Scythians who make their clothes from cannabis. They also bathe in the fumes of burning cannabis seeds as opposed to taking a bath ( Histories  4.74. = RECW 14.2).