In 2013, archaeologists found a molded goblet on a high circular leg that served as an incense burner. They discovered it at the Dzhan Baba fortress. The goblet is made of gray clay and dates back to the first half of the 2nd century CE, presumably belonging to the Scythian period. Similar incense burners have been found among Greek artifacts from the 2nd century BCE, suggesting that the Scythians may have imitated Greek pottery. It is likely that the Scythians and Greeks had close contact and exchanged cultural experiences. Late Scythian incense burners are relatively rare, both in settlements and necropolises. These artifacts may have belonged to a limited segment of the population involved in religious practices. Historians debate whether the incense burning served for purification with fire or veneration of ancestors, but more evidence suggests that it was dedicated to deities.
Among the inventory of burial mounds in the steppe zone of the Tarkhankut Peninsula, there are many ritual vessels known as incense burners. For centuries, both pagans and Christians have used the fumigation of rooms and burial sites with aromatic incense. Representatives of ancient tribes believed that this practice helped to drive away evil spirits. Incense burners, filled with smoldering coals and aromatic resin, were also used to purify graves during repeated burials.
The Scythians regarded fire as the most important element. They worshiped Tabiti, the goddess of fire, more than any other deity. In the burial mounds of the pre-Scythian, Scythian, and Sarmatian periods, archaeologists have found molded incense burners — bowls on stands. Before the introduction of ritual vessels, fragments of broken vessels were used for ritual purposes, with charcoal placed inside and lit. Incense burners come in various shapes, some of which are complex, and are often decorated with sacred symbols. They all have a bowl for holding incense and a leg stand. It is possible that when lighting a fire inside these vessels, ancient priests or leaders added aromatic oils or seeds of plants to the flames.
