Discovery of Ancient Sarmatian Burial Sites in Atyrau Region
Ancient Sarmatian Burial Sites Discovered in the Atyrau Region
Archaeologists in Kazakhstan have made an exciting discovery in the Atyrau Region, uncovering ancient Sarmatian burial sites dating back to the fifth century B.C. The excavation took place at the Karabau-2 mound, located just 10 kilometers north of the Karabau village in the Kyzylkoga district.
According to reports from the regional administration, a total of nine graves were found at the site, with seven of them remaining well-preserved. The graves contained a variety of artifacts, including human remains, gold jewelry, weapons, and ceramic vessels. Some of the burials were of a collective nature, leading archaeologists to classify them as “royal tombs.”
Marat Kasenov, the head of the excavation team, shared that over 1,000 artifacts were discovered during the dig. Among the finds were 100 gold ornaments adorned with intricate designs of leopards, bears, tigers, and antelopes. Of particular interest were two rare wooden bowls that had never been seen in similar excavations before.
Further excavations at the Karakuduk-1 and Karakuduk-2 mounds in the same area yielded silver pictograms, iron and bronze weapons, and various household items. A particularly rare discovery was the finding of two touchstones with gold handles, which were historically used by the Sarmatians to test the authenticity of gold.
One of the most significant finds highlighted by Galamat Bazarbayev, the head of the Atyrau Museum’s archaeological research department, was gold appliques on clothing weighing two grams and a massive 370-gram gold bracelet shaped like a mountain leopard.
The excavation work, carried out between 2023 and 2024, involved a team of 20 workers, five museum staff members, and anthropologists from Astana and Almaty. The findings were recently showcased at “The Gold of the Sarmatians” exhibition, which was attended by regional officials, historians, and cultural experts.
Marat Kasenov remarked on the significance of these discoveries, noting that they challenge previous beliefs about the extent of the Sarmatian civilization in the region. The results suggest that areas such as the Caspian Lowland, the Zhaiyk River, and the vicinity of the Zhem River were central to the Sarmatian empire, rather than just peripheries as previously thought.
Overall, the discovery of these ancient burial sites is shedding new light on the history and significance of the Sarmatian civilization in Kazakhstan, captivating the interest of archaeologists and historians alike.
