Blessed by the Sacred Kazan
Ancient Saka Cauldron Unearthed in Uzbekistan
Editor’s note: Discover Kazakhstan is a column dedicated to exploring the rich cultural heritage and natural wonders of the country. Each article explores various aspects of Kazakh life and history, offering insights and stories that highlight their unique significance.
An ancient Saka cauldron’s journey through time began in 1993 when a resident of Mukhammadi village in the Payarik district in the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan, Anvar Shagdarov, unearthed an old kazan (cauldron) while digging a canal. This cauldron served his family for three decades, being used to cook the famous Samarkand pilaf, a dish cooked over an open fire in a kazan. However, the cauldron’s true significance was only realized last year when representatives from the Agency for Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan identified it as a bronze Saka cauldron dating back to the 2nd-1st century BCE.
The cauldron, which belonged to the former director of the village school, has now found a new home in the State Museum of Culture History of Uzbekistan’s collection. This valuable artifact sheds light on the culinary traditions and craftsmanship of the ancient Saka nomads who once inhabited the region. Despite spending centuries buried underground, the cauldron has not lost its utility or its significance in the local culture.
The Turkic word “kazan,” which means “to dig” or “to scrape,” has deep roots in the culinary traditions of Central Asia. Cauldrons have been essential utensils for both nomadic peoples and settled populations throughout history. Saka cauldrons, in particular, are renowned for their unique ornamentation and intricate Scythian animal style depicting real and mythical creatures.
Beyond their utilitarian purpose, Saka cauldrons were considered sacred objects, cherished and revered by their owners. The cauldron served as a unifying symbol within tribes and families, a tradition that has persisted to this day. Even with the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, cauldrons remained an integral part of Sufi rituals and ceremonies.
While the fate of the resident of Mukhammadi village who unearthed the Saka cauldron remains unknown, we hope that his family continues to gather around a new kazan and enjoy the taste of their Samarkand pilaf. After all, the cauldron has a special place in Kazakh culture, with the stomach being referred to as “asqazan,” or “cauldron for food.”
Based on an original article by Zhar Zardykhan, Kazakh historian, Qalam’s Editor-in-Chief. The full article can be found on the Pen project website.
