In Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region, archaeologists from Margulan University, accompanied by students, have uncovered two rare bronze knives believed to date back to the early Saka period. The discovery was made in Bayan-Aul National Park near Lake Toraygyr, within the newly identified Toraygyr-7 burial complex.
According to Elena Tusheva, chief curator of the university’s archaeological collection, the knives were cast using ancient techniques from locally sourced bronze. “Stylistically, they already belong to the early Iron Age, confirming the existence of advanced metallurgical practices and stable cultural ties in the region,” she explained.
In addition to the knives, archaeologists uncovered the remains of individuals from the Tasmola culture. Student Angelina Grishchenko noted, “The remains are well preserved, allowing us to determine sex, age, and anthropological features. While excavating a lower layer, we also discovered an older burial attributed to the Andronovo culture.”
Margulan University has been conducting research in the Bayanaul region for over a decade and plays a key role in preserving its archaeological heritage.
Symbols of Power and Medieval Ruins
In a separate find in the Almaty region, archaeologists from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University uncovered a gold ring weighing nearly eight grams, engraved with the image of a lion, a symbol of power and strength. Discovered within a Saka burial, the artifact is believed to reflect the mythological beliefs of the Saka elite from the 4th-3rd centuries BCE. The site also yielded the remains of a man and a woman, along with artifacts including ceramics, iron tools, and additional gold ornaments.
Meanwhile, in the Zhetysu region, archaeologists have unearthed the ruins of a medieval city, a discovery previously supported only by written records. Olga Gumirova, executive director of the Petroglyph Hunters Foundation, stated that findings included brick walls, the remnants of a tower, and evidence of fire damage, suggesting the city may have been destroyed during the Mongol invasions. Comparisons are already being drawn to UNESCO-recognized sites such as Talkhiz and Koylyk.
Further west, in the Shet district of the Karaganda region, researchers from the Saryarka Archaeological Institute identified 25 sites dating from the Bronze Age through the Middle Ages. These include burial mounds, necropolises, and complex funerary structures. Formal dating will proceed once excavation permits are secured, according to institute director Alexei Kukushkin.
The “Golden Man” and a Buddhist Heritage Site
Among the most celebrated recent discoveries was the 2018 unearthing of a burial site in East Kazakhstan. Led by archaeologist Zeynolla Samashev, the team discovered over 3,000 gold objects, including women’s earrings, necklaces, and horse harness fittings from the 8th-7th centuries BCE. The remains are popularly dubbed the “Golden Man” of Eastern Kazakhstan.
In southern Kazakhstan’s Merken district, within the Ayranada Gorge, archaeologists uncovered remnants of an ancient Buddhist temple. Artifacts include temple fragments and a carved stone Buddha head. Anna Krokosheva, a senior researcher at the Museum of Ancient Taraz, emphasized the find’s importance in understanding the region’s cultural role along the Great Silk Road. Despite being situated more than 3,000 meters above sea level, the site remains well preserved and may serve as a future hub for scientific and cultural tourism.
Together, these discoveries underscore Kazakhstan’s rich historical legacy and highlight its vast potential for archaeological research and heritage tourism.
