The greatness of the Saka mounds
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UMITSHAKH ANUARBEKOVNA
Saka mounds of
the Kazakhstan
the Kazakhstan
Numerous monuments of Sakas - burial mounds and objects discovered in them - prove that the Sakas have a rich and original culture, and also reflect their religious beliefs.
east Kazakhstan
Berel Mounds
The Berel Burial Mounds are located in the Shilikta Valley in the East Kazakhstan Province. It consists of 72 graves, dating back to 5-4 centuries BC. The most significant burial of the necropolis is the Golden Barrow of Kings. A luxurious costume embroidered with gold plates and decorations was discovered there. Many artifacts of the Berel Mounds are displayed not only in Kazakhstani museums, but also in the world-famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg
Shilikty Mounds
Mounds are one of the most valuable sources of information on various aspects of life, household skills, rituals and beliefs of the ancient peoples of Kazakhstan. Moreover, the objects associated with the cult of the burial of the dead are the most informative, and often the only source of knowledge about past eras. The present study is devoted to some results of the excavations carried out on the mound "Baygetobe" of Shilikti burial ground. The purpose of the work is associated with certain categories of grave goods and reading "Fine Text" of Shilikti graves, whose structure is the same for burials of nobles and ordinary graves. The safety of a royal burial mounds, the integrity and completeness of the source are of particular value for studying.
Central Kazakhstan
"Barrow with "Mustaches"
The of excavations of barrow with "mustaches" at Atasu river (Central Kazakhstan, Karaganda region) are presented in the paper. Barrows with "mustaches" are a little-studied type of ancient monuments. Monuments of this type were dated back to the periods of the Saks, Huns, Türks. More precise definition of their cultural and chronological affiliation is regarded as difficult but important aim. The barrow with "mustaches" Atasu-2 consists of one rounded stone mound and two stone ridges oriented to the east. In 1977, near the mound was found a stone sculpture of the Saka type. Since 2015, investigation at Atasu area were conducted under the leadership of A.Z. Beisenov. Two pits were discovered under the embankment where the iron arrowheads and items of horse harness were found. Details of horse harness are represented by the different tips of the belts plaques, the head piece and the lining of the forward parts of the saddle flanges. The details of the set are made of an alloy of gold and silver in a polychrome style which has analogies in the archaeological sites of the Hunnish time in Eastern Europe.
The of excavations of barrow with "mustaches" at Atasu river (Central Kazakhstan, Karaganda region) are presented in the paper. Barrows with "mustaches" are a little-studied type of ancient monuments. Monuments of this type were dated back to the periods of the Saks, Huns, Türks. More precise definition of their cultural and chronological affiliation is regarded as difficult but important aim. The barrow with "mustaches" Atasu-2 consists of one rounded stone mound and two stone ridges oriented to the east. In 1977, near the mound was found a stone sculpture of the Saka type. Since 2015, investigation at Atasu area were conducted under the leadership of A.Z. Beisenov. Two pits were discovered under the embankment where the iron arrowheads and items of horse harness were found. Details of horse harness are represented by the different tips of the belts plaques, the head piece and the lining of the forward parts of the saddle flanges. The details of the set are made of an alloy of gold and silver in a polychrome style which has analogies in the archaeological sites of the Hunnish time in Eastern Europe.
North Kazakhstan
The monument of Baykar was discovered in 1956 by the expedition of the famous Kazakh archeologist Kemal Akishev. Excavations of the burial mound of Baykar, located in the Shal Akyn area, were concentrated on the largest mound - its diameter reached 85 meters, height-7 meters. The excavations of this site brought completely unexpected results - the mound turned out to be a cult structure of the Scythian time instead of a funerary. Baykara was the sanctuary of a large nomadic association of the Saka period in the territory of Northern Kazakhstan. Its construction was a cult act, accompanied by other cult acts. In the Hunno-Sarmatian period, a person of a high social status, dressed in golden robes was buried in the center of the mound. The burial ground of Baykar was heavily looted in the late 18th century.
South Kazakhstan
| Bes-Shatyr burial mounds The large mound Besshatyr is located in the Kerbulak district, Almaty region, located on the territory of the Altyn-Emel National Natural Park, 65 kilometers north of the village of Basshi, on the right bank of the Ili River, at the entrance to the Shilbyr gorge.
Mounds are made of earth and stones. The mounds of barrows are gentle, swollen, sod. The most famous is the Bes-Shatyr burial ground, which contains 31mounds. The largest of these, known as the "Semirechye pyramid". The mounds contain wooden burial vaults made of Tien-Shan fir logs that have lasted over 2,000 years. One feature peculiar to the Bes-Shatyr burial mounds is the labyrinth of underground catacombs ,with one path leading to the vault. To the west of the royal graves there is а series of 45 stone posts stretching from north to south and carved with animal drawings. This unique chronicle in stone depicts scenes of hunting and еveryday life. Scholars believe that all of this area was used for rituals. |
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Issyk burial mounds
The Issyk burial mounds, in south-eastern Kazakhstan, less than 20 km east from the Talgar alluvial fan, near Issyk, is a burial mound discovered in 1969. It has a height of six meters and a circumference of sixty meters. It is dated to the 4th or 3rd century BC. A notable item is a silver cup bearing an inscription. The finds are on display in Nur-Sultan. It is associated with the Saka people
Situated in eastern Scythia just north of Sogdiana, the kurgan contained a skeleton, warrior's equipment, and assorted funerary goods, including 4,000 gold ornaments. Although the sex of the skeleton is uncertain, it may have been an 18-year-old Saka (Scythian) prince or princess.
The richness of the burial items led the skeleton to be dubbed the "golden man" or "golden princess", with the "golden man" subsequently being adopted as one of the symbols of modern Kazakhstan. A likeness crowns the Independence Monument on the central square of Almaty. Its depiction may also be found on the Presidential Standard of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The Issyk burial mounds, in south-eastern Kazakhstan, less than 20 km east from the Talgar alluvial fan, near Issyk, is a burial mound discovered in 1969. It has a height of six meters and a circumference of sixty meters. It is dated to the 4th or 3rd century BC. A notable item is a silver cup bearing an inscription. The finds are on display in Nur-Sultan. It is associated with the Saka people
Situated in eastern Scythia just north of Sogdiana, the kurgan contained a skeleton, warrior's equipment, and assorted funerary goods, including 4,000 gold ornaments. Although the sex of the skeleton is uncertain, it may have been an 18-year-old Saka (Scythian) prince or princess.
The richness of the burial items led the skeleton to be dubbed the "golden man" or "golden princess", with the "golden man" subsequently being adopted as one of the symbols of modern Kazakhstan. A likeness crowns the Independence Monument on the central square of Almaty. Its depiction may also be found on the Presidential Standard of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
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West Kazakhstan
Araltobe burial mounds
Kurgan Araltobe - in October 1999, on the territory of the Atyrau region of Kazakhstan, archaeologists found a rich burial place where the remains of a man, presumably a Sarmatian leader and his wife, were found. Many antiquities were also found: hundreds of gold plaques with images of zoomorphic creatures, arrowheads, a poorly preserved damask sword and a royal wand. The finds acknowledged the noble origin of the deceased, whom experts called the "Golden Warrior". Because of its shape, the mound received the name "radiant" mound. In the eastern part of the burial there was a skeleton, presumably, of a golden eagle.
Kurgan Araltobe - in October 1999, on the territory of the Atyrau region of Kazakhstan, archaeologists found a rich burial place where the remains of a man, presumably a Sarmatian leader and his wife, were found. Many antiquities were also found: hundreds of gold plaques with images of zoomorphic creatures, arrowheads, a poorly preserved damask sword and a royal wand. The finds acknowledged the noble origin of the deceased, whom experts called the "Golden Warrior". Because of its shape, the mound received the name "radiant" mound. In the eastern part of the burial there was a skeleton, presumably, of a golden eagle.
Kimal Akishev (1924-2003)
Archeologist
Archeologist
Kimal Akishev was a outstanding historian, archeologist and scientist. He made a great contribution to the study of the Saka burial mounds.
More than 200 textbooks, scientific works and articles were written by him. Including the book " Kurgan Issyk". In the book, the author shows the findings of archaeological excavations in the Issyk mound.
Kimal Akishev had a great influence on the study of the Saka mounds and the history of Kazakhstan in general.
More than 200 textbooks, scientific works and articles were written by him. Including the book " Kurgan Issyk". In the book, the author shows the findings of archaeological excavations in the Issyk mound.
Kimal Akishev had a great influence on the study of the Saka mounds and the history of Kazakhstan in general.
Zeynolla Samashev
Archeologist
Archeologist
Zeynolla Samashev is one of the outstanding archaeologists of Kazakhstan, who first discovered the famous Berel mounds. The volume and quality of the materials collected during the expeditions and introduced into scientific circulation under the leadership of Zeynolla Samashev attracted the attention of archaeologists and orientalists. His contribution to the study of the petroglyphs of Kazakhstan is particularly notable.
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