n to the growth of Scythic peoples can be seen by a simple comparison between the sheer number and location of sites before vs. after-during colonization clearly shows the expansion gained by the new partnership with the Greek colonies (see figures 2 and 3).Evidence of Cross Acculturationn Butzer’s book, Archeology as Human Ecology, he details processes of human adaptive process as related to cultures and their environments. The Greeks and Scythians were both subject to these process as a direct result of their dependence of their environment and their interrelations with each other. Environmentally. The Greeks relied on the transport routes of the Bug and Dnepr rivers and liman. The Scyths were dependant on the fertility of their soil as means to produce a surplus of grain to support a socio-economic structure. It is this quality that produced the sedentary agriculturalists within this semi-nomadic culture. Yet both were dependant on each other for the basic workings of their society. This produced a mixture seen in cultural deposits throughout the region. The investigation of graves and burial goods is most informative on the adaptive culture mix produced by this need. In the earliest graves excavated at Olbia we find this evidence. The graves dating to the early fifth and sixth century show a blend of Greek and Scythian wares. While the ceramic assemblages are mainly Greek there are Scythian metal works, especially daggers found in the graves of Greek inhabitants. (Sulimirski 2, 17) Also present in the necropolis were series of native graves mainly distinguished by the bodies lying in flexed positions. It is also interesting to note that the oldest graves are those located furthest from the city. This complies well with the friendly relations with the Scythic tribes in this period. The Scythic graves also show a strong Ionian influence. Greek objects are found not only among grave goods but Greek style of bu...
