Multidisciplinary approaches to the analysis of wooden arrow shafts from the 4th century BCE Scythian burials in Ukraine

This thesis explores the wooden arrow shafts from 4th-century BCE Scythian burials in Ukraine through a multidisciplinary analytical approach. By employing Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), we aim to identify pigments and binders preserved on the surface of the wooden artefacts. In addition, SEM imaging is used for wood anatomical analysis and species identification, in order to assess whether locally available timber was utilized. This integrated methodology will contribute to a deeper understanding of Scythian craftsmanship, material selection, and possible trade or resource use in the region during the Iron Age.