Archaeologists In Kazakhstan Discovered Ancient Burial Mounds With Stone Ridge Mustaches That Date Back To The Middle Ages
Archaeologists have uncovered a series of ancient burial mounds known as kurgans in the Ulytau region of central Kazakhstan.
Their excavations resulted in the discovery of a total of 10 kurgans dating back to the Middle Ages. Three of them feature “mustaches,” distinct ridges of stone that create an X pattern across the burial mounds.
According to Zhanbolat Utubaev, the leader of the excavations and an archaeologist at the Margulan Institute of Archaeology, “mustached” kurgans from the Middle Ages are common in Kazakhstan. In central Kazakhstan, more than 400 of them have been discovered.
The mounds range from about 10 to 50 feet in diameter. The stone ridges were likely designed to maintain their structural integrity and prevent them from collapsing over time.
When the archaeological team dug up one of the kurgans that did not have a mustache, they found the remains of a man who was buried with a triangular arrowhead. The cause of his death was unclear, but further research may shed some light on it.
The exact date of the kurgans is also unclear, but they appear to date back to the Middle Ages. The kurgans found in this region were fairly modest and simple compared to the more ornate burial mounds in the surrounding areas, like China and Mongolia.
No elaborate ornaments or grave goods were present in the tombs, which can be put down to the social structure of medieval Kazakhstan.
Wealthier individuals were usually buried in or around major cities like Taraz in southeastern Kazakhstan. The city thrived, as it was a significant hub along the Silk Road between China and Europe.
During the Middle Ages, some people in Kazakhstan were more settled down. Many settled people inhabited the city of Taraz. Meanwhile, others lived a nomadic lifestyle.
mukanov – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
The most famous nomadic group was the Mongols, who conquered the region during the 13th century.
The newly discovered kurgans may be from a time before the Mongol conquest, but they seem to have belonged to an early nomadic group.
Other kurgans have been unearthed in Kazakhstan in the past. For example, in 2020, a kurgan was excavated in Eleke Sazy, a valley bordered by mountains located in eastern Kazakhstan.
It was part of a complex of 300 burial mounds and did not show much promise in yielding unique treasures since it had been looted in antiquity.
Yet, archaeologists managed to find glimmering bronze artifacts covered with gold foil. There was a total of 830 golden items, which were used as ceremonial decorations for horse harnesses. The lavish objects clearly indicated that the grave had been created for an elite figure.
Overall, these findings have helped contribute to a richer understanding of the region’s medieval history, as well as the beliefs and lifestyles of the people who once lived in ancient Central Asia.
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