Saka burial mounds and other wonders of Kazakhstan

 Central Asia has long been home to nomadic civilizations. The vast steppes are covered with petroglyphs, sanctuaries and burial mounds which testify to this rich cultural diversity of this area.

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One of the most striking discoveries in Kazakhstan is a massive burial mound found in Tamgaly region and now recognized by UNESCO World Heritage. This stunning site provides a compelling window into Central Asian history and culture.

The Steppe Geoglyphs

Dimitriy Dey discovered an intriguing set of geoglyphs in Kazakhstan in 2007 which appear to have been created by ancient people. He named these giant images, similar to crop circles but more complex, "Steppe Geoglyphs", with an estimated age of around 8,000 years old.

Dey made this discovery while using Google Earth to explore Kazakhstan. He discovered 260 structures, such as shapes that look like squares, rings and swastikas.

Archaeologists speculate that these figures were constructed as part of an intricate system designed by nomadic cultures inhabiting the area between 7000 and 5000 BCE, to chart seasonal changes for agriculture purposes and determine when rainfall would come.

Even in spite of their mystery, scientists continue to attempt to understand exactly why and for what purpose these structures were constructed. NASA is helping researchers investigate this puzzle by taking photos from space of these structures that might help answer this question.

The Saka Culture

The Saka Culture remains relatively unknown outside Kazakhstan, though archaeologists have slowly unlocked its secrets. Now, for the first time ever in Britain, an impressive collection of gold artefacts from this prehistoric nomadic warrior horse people will go on public display.

These unique pieces were discovered at Issyk Burial Mound near Almaty and originated with an exceptional Scythian named Golden Man who resided there before being interred in an extravagantly decorated grave.

While alive, this man sported an elaborately decorated headdress and clothing decorated with golden plates; these items were later found in his grave.

The Sakha people inhabit an extreme Arctic environment, and rely heavily on raising cattle and reindeer as sources of income. Dairy products play a prominent role in their diet while meat is typically reserved for special events.

The Karaganda Archaeological Complex

Karaganda Archaeological Complex, situated in central Kazakhstan, comprises an ensemble of monuments that form part of its national heritage and boast unique combinations of construction features, morphological traits and functional considerations.

Recent archeological finds include numerous dwellings and items handcrafted of stone and ivory that shed new light on Kazakhstan's Stone-Age history. One such artifact discovered near Kyzylzhartas burial ground in Shetsk district was an elaborate bronze cauldron.

Nomadic herders of the steppe could create stunning items from bone, horse hair, leather, silver and any other available materials, including symbols and decorative patterns from different cultures such as Russia in the north, China in the east and Persian and Islamic cultures in the southwest.

The Almaty Archaeological Complex

Almaty region archaeological complex once housed an advanced culture with sophisticated communication networks and migrational routes, and today boasts some of Kazakhstan's most notable finds like "Golden Man," an armored warrior wearing gold armor adorned with other precious artifacts from his funerary artifacts; Zhalauly treasure is another treasure worth searching out here.

Today, it has become one of the country's premier tourist attractions. Visitors flock to its museum and expositions that trace back its history from Bronze Age through Soviet period.

In addition, the museum features a replica of the "Golden Man", along with other valuable archaeological artifacts. Furthermore, its exhibitions provide insight into various regions across India and their cultural practices.