Do you know what the Slavs looked like in antiquity?

If you try to imagine what the Slavs looked like in antiquity, many will describe something like this: an elderly man with long hair in a white shirt. However, this is not entirely true. There are many versions of how the Slavs looked. The theme of their appearance is very interesting, therefore it deserves more detailed study.

Inhabitation of Slavic tribes

Slavs lived from ancient times in the central part of Europe, in the Carpathian region and the Balkan Peninsula. According to one version, the promotion to the eastern part occurs in the period from the 5th to the 7th century AD. If you listen to the other, you can hear the version that in Eastern Europe the Slavs were like the indigenous inhabitants of this part of Europe. In total, there were three large groups: eastern, western and southern. Pagan beliefs determined not only the spirituality of the Slavs, but also their external appearance.

As the eastern Slavs looked , it is impossible to say unequivocally. This territory was inhabited by a huge number of tribes. They are such as Vyatichi, Volhynians, Krivichi, Radimichi, Croats, Polotchans and many others. Each of them had its own characteristics. Among the general can be noted the fact that the clothes did not have complex details, but the exterior design was always under special attention. Embroidered on the fabrics were various patterns, ornaments, and figures. To decorate used temporal rings of various types. On their feet they wore bast shoes. Under the outer clothing they wore linen spacious shirts. The richer the man, the more clothes he wore. Differences could consist of the color of the preferred fabric, the size, shape and number of jewelry, ways of weaving the bast shoes. Unequivocally we can say that the way the ancient Slavs looked was influenced by the surrounding nature, way of life and way of life of the tribes, as well as their neighbors - Scythians and Sarmatians.

Is there a similarity with the Vikings?

Some historians categorically reject the image that appears to us in the form of a long-haired man and with a beard. It's less like what the ancient Slavs looked like, but more like the Vikings.

In their opinion, the Slavs were against cutting hair on their heads and shaving their beards.
Scandinavians took such an appearance from religious traditions. The Slavs at that time lived on the Baltic coast. Unlike the Vikings, they carefully shaved and cut their hair very shortly over the entire head, leaving the forelock on the forehead. And with the long hair went the Magi. The outward appearance of Scandinavian men was ridiculed by the Slavs. As the Slavs looked, scientists are trying to determine by the found skeletons. Thanks to these finds, it becomes possible for descendants to get acquainted with the ornaments, clothing and accessories that the ancient Slavs used. Similarity with the Scandinavian outfits is observed in women's jewelry for hair and headdresses.

Appearance of Slavic women

At all times, Slavic women used multi-layered clothing. And for every event there were different costumes. Appearance also depended on the age of the woman. The body was always worn with a shirt with wide sleeves. The closer to our time, the more the appearance of the Slavs was filled with luxury. Clothes became more diverse. The head was covered with various dresses. From ribbons to hats of unusual shape. Women decorated the outfits with beads, which were bright and dropped on the chest in several rows. All the clothes were long, almost to the heels. It was decorated with sewn ribbons, small ruffles and braid. They also liked to wear large earrings and rings.

Male Slavic costume

The men wore long shirts - ryoshonki. They were wrapped around and belt girdled. The shirts did not have buckles, some of them were worn on top. Winter clothes were made of fur of various animals. This is both sheepskin coats and mittens. The pants were wide, tied up at the waist and downstairs. The wealthy people of these pants were several. In winter, woolen women wore woolen clothes. Shoes of men and women were made from canvas. They wrapped their feet and attached the sole with straps. Boots made from a whole piece of leather.

All clothes had embroidery. Over time, it grew more and more.

Hairstyles of the ancient Slavs

Hair and hairstyles took a special place in the life of the ancient Slavs. By the hair, one could judge the social status of a person. They cut their hair ritually, observing traditions. It was necessary to do this in a certain period of life. Boys did not grow their hair long and cut it often enough.

The girls had to braid the pigtails. For this reason, they were grown, diligently followed, courting with the help of plant components. Girls wore one or two braids.

Boys, growing older, grew a longer chub. The rest of the head was cut very short. Chub - it was a special attribute. The young man was proud of him, sometimes twisting. Adult men often wore a haircut "in a circle." Also it is called "under the pot". It was with the help of this attribute and did a similar hairstyle. For the Eastern Slavs this was also generally accepted.

As the Slavs looked, it is impossible to say with certainty. One can definitely say one thing, that their clothes were comfortable and spacious, regardless of the era.