Zhetysu, Kazakhstan | A Team of Archaeologists Uncovered Significant Gold Jewellery and Artefacts from Early Iron Age

A team of Archaeologists leading a research project in Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu Region (formerly Almaty Region), have recently uncovered significant  gold jewellery and artifacts from the Early Iron Age (around the 4th – 3rd centuries BCE), during excavations at the Dauylbai necropolis, a crucial site for understanding Central Asia antiquity, located at the foot of a ridge in the Dauylbay area within Karatal district, near Taldykorgan and the Saza Plateau, as reported by Kazakhstan’s official state news agency, Kazinform.

 Researchers uncovered various items from elite Saka - burials like fragments of gold jewellery, beads, earrings, bone buttons, bronze pins, buckles, various ceramic vessels, including a “varvorka”  a rare pendant decoration and gold plates used in the ritual and status costumes of the ancient inhabitants of the region. 

These finds, part of ongoing excavations, are revealing advanced craftmanship and rich cultural traditions highlighting intricate details about ancient Saka society, status, and artistic skills, with some discoveries already been transferred to local history museums, where restoration work has been completed. 

A museum’s curator underlined that the metal objects had been  cleaned of corrosion and mineral deposits, and the bone and ceramic items had been restored to almost their original appearance. Thanks to this, the exhibits were included in the museums’ new temporary exhibitions. 

Discovery's  Location: 

The Dauylbai necropolis is a very significant archaeological site in the Karatal district within Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu region, known for its rich finds from the Early Iron Age, including golden aritifacts. 

In the area of the necropolis were discovered paired burials, and unique burial structures, offering insights into ancient cultures like the Begazy - Dandybay, a late Bronze Age culture of mixed economy in the territory of central Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, centered at Saryarka region, with discoveries highlighting sophisticated crafmanship and trade networks. 

This complex burial ground features various tomb types, oval, round and rectangular stone fences as well as megalithic rock mausoleums. Primarily associated with the Early Iron Age, the necropolis contains structures from different eras, including Late Bronze linked to Andronov and Begazy - Dandybay cultures.

 Discovery's Significance: 

•    Advanced Craftmanship: The sophisitcated techniques used in the gold items demonstrate advanced metalworking skills. 
•    Cultural Insights: The Finds offer new details on Saka/Sarmatian social structure, gender roles, trade, and artistic traditions.
•    Rich Heritage: These discoveries connect modern audiences to the complex cultural heritage of ancient Kazakhstan. 

The Dauylbay area: 

The Dauylbay area apart its iconic necropolis remains one of least studied regions in Kazakhstan. According to archaeologists, there are over 190 sites in an area of approximately 100 square kilometres consisting in about 150 burial complexes, more than 20 camps and settlements, as well as 20 clusters of petroglyphs dating from the Bronze Age and other eras.  

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/en/news/archaeologists-in-kazakhstan-find-rare-gold-jewellery-and-artefacts-from-the-early-iron-age/