Synopsis: The Sintashta way of life and death seeds aspects of Vedic Aryan Hinduism and Iranian Zoroastrianism, while their quest for a lucrative market for metals brings them into contact with the Oxus Civilization and – through them – the larger Near Eastern world. In post-Ur III Sumer, Amorite chiefs and military leaders begin to flex a newfound power and prestige. “The robe they spread upon the Horse to clothe him, The upper covering and the golden trappings, The halters which restrain the Steed, the heel-ropes, - All these, as grateful to the Gods, they offer.” – Rig-Veda, Book 1, Hymn 162, The Horse Map of the Pontic-Caspian Steppe c. 2100 BC: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/PCS2100.jpg Map of the Near East c. 1950 BC: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_1950.jpg Episode Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720335716108/ References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A16_References.pdf Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast.