Archaeologists start exploration of Early Iron Age mound

Archaeologists start exploration of Early Iron Age mound

North-Kazakhstan archaeologists began excavating the burial mound of the Early Iron Age. Its height is two meters, and the diameter is approximately 40 meters. According to scientists, it is a non-standard size burial. Experts suggest that a noble person was buried here. The hypothesis will be confirmed or refuted, as soon as the entire burial mound is explored. It was discovered 70 years ago, but archaeologists have proceeded to excavations recently. The first thing scientists discovered was the remains of a horse.

“There is an assumption that mound was looted, but we need to presume that it was just a collapse. These collapses are typical for many mounds. Whatever it was, the remains of a horse fell down and this is clearly visible. In particular, we see here the spine, there is a leg with hoof a little further from me. Actually, these are the first bones that we have found, and a horse's skull was found here yesterday evening,” Zhanat Baimussenov, Deputy Director of the Center for Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage, said.

“The study of the mound has just started and there are a lot of undiscovered, interesting things here. There is a stain from calcination here on the cut. Perhaps, a fire was lit at this place. It differs in color and in structure,” Rimma Popovich, chief of staff of the North Kazakhstan Regional History and Local Lore Museum, commented.

In total, there are 436 archeological monuments in the North Kazakhstan region. There are mostly mounds, many of which have not been explored thoroughly yet, as no excavations have been carried out there, so far. Now, scientists are focused on the settlements of Botai, Ak Iriy, the Kyzyl oba mausoleum and Baikara temple. In the near future, the researchers plan to hold an international field seminar with foreign scientists.

 

Translation by Zhanna Smagulova and Aliya Kulmagambetova

Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova