Archaeologists in Kazakhstan may have uncovered the ruins of a long-lost medieval city previously known only from historical texts. The discovery was announced by Olga Gumirova, executive director of the Petroglyph Hunters Foundation.
Tower, Masonry, and a Burned Past
The remains were found in the Zhetysu region, and experts believe the site could be as archaeologically significant as Talkhiz or Koylyk, both of which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
“It looks like we’ve found the medieval city that everyone has been looking for! First, we saw the remains of brickwork in a quarry, a miraculously preserved tower, and then a wall… Medieval bricks protruded from the ground. The city was severely burned during the Mongol invasion,” Gumirova wrote on Facebook. Archaeologists have been informed, though analysis and discussion are just beginning.
Talkhiz, now part of the Almaty region, was established in the 8th century as a hub of trade and industry. Koylyk, also known as Antonovskoe, thrived from the 8th to 14th centuries. Both are recognized as cultural heritage sites of global significance.
Twenty-Five New Sites in the Saryarka Steppes
Meanwhile, archaeologists from the Saryarka Archaeological Institute made significant discoveries in the Shet district of Karaganda region. In May 2025, researchers uncovered 25 new historical and cultural sites, including burial mounds, necropolises, and complex structures from the Bronze, Iron, and Medieval Ages.
“Work is just beginning, but we can already confidently speak about the importance of the finds,” said Alexei Kukushkin, director of the institute. Dating and full excavation await official approval.
Eastern Kazakhstan’s “Golden Man”
A remarkable earlier discovery occurred in 2018 in the Tarbagatai district of East Kazakhstan. An expedition led by archaeologist Zeynolla Samashev uncovered a burial site containing nearly 3,000 gold artifacts dating back to the 7th-8th centuries BCE. Items included women’s earrings, gemstone necklaces, and ornate horse gear, highlighting the artistic and cultural richness of the era.
Buddhist Temple Found in Zhambyl Region
In another discovery underscoring Kazakhstan’s diverse historical legacy, archaeologists unearthed the remains of a Buddhist temple in the Ayranada Gorge, Merken district, Zhambyl region. Fragments of a structure and a partially buried stone sculpture of a Buddha were found, reinforcing the area’s importance along the Great Silk Road.
“The Buddhist temple and the head of Buddha could become interesting tourist attractions,” said Anna Krokosheva, senior researcher at the Museum of Ancient Taraz. However, the site remains difficult to access, located at over 3,000 meters above sea level with no existing infrastructure. Krokosheva noted that this inaccessibility has helped preserve the artifacts.
From steppe burial mounds to ancient ruins, Buddhist temples to gold-laden tombs, Kazakhstan continues to reveal a rich, multilayered historical narrative. The recently discovered city in Zhetysu may become a vital link in this story, an archaeological treasure of national and potentially global significance. What remains hidden beneath the soil may yet reshape our understanding of medieval Kazakhstan.
