Archaeologists have uncovered rare burial mounds dating back to the fifth century B.C. in Kazakhstan’s Atyrau region, revealing unique jewelry, weapons and ceramic vessels. These findings provide new insights into the region’s ancient history, according to the press office of the akimat (local administration) of the Atyrau region.
The artifacts, including household items, jewelry and weapons, led archaeologists to identify the tombs as «royal tents.» Researchers note that the Sarmatians, the ancient people who once inhabited the area, buried their nobility with weapons, household goods and personal belongings. Excavations uncovered three such tents, each containing 10 to 15 burials.
«Until recently, scientists believed our region was on the periphery of the Sarmatian Empire. However, recent excavations suggest that the Caspian Depression, the Zhaiyk River and the lands near the Zhem River were likely central to this vast power. In total, around 1,000 artifacts have been discovered, including 100 gold ornaments and jewelry crafted in the animalistic style. These pieces depict animals that once roamed the region, such as leopards, wild boars, tigers and saiga antelopes,» said Marat Kassenov, head of the archaeological team.
One of the most remarkable discoveries was a pair of touchstones with gold handles, found in the Karabau-2 mound. These stones were used by the Sarmatians to test gold purity, a technique still used by modern jewelers.
A team of 20 workers, five museum employees and invited anthropologists from Astana and Almaty participated in the archaeological excavations. The discoveries from two years of research are now showcased in the exhibition «The Gold of the Sarmatians» at the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore.
«The heaviest piece of jewelry found was a bracelet featuring a mountain leopard on both sides, weighing approximately 370 grams,» said Galamat Bazarbayev, head of the museum’s archaeological research department.
While the burial mounds near Karabau were first discovered in 2005, systematic research didn’t begin until 2023. Archaeologists estimate that there are approximately 500 Sarmatian tombs in the Atyrau region.
