Emily Chan
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.
