Kultobe (Kazakhstan): Historical burial site containing child and noble woman remains discovered
Dinara Urazova / Photos : © otyrar.kz
In one of the mounds
Kazakhstani archaeologists have discovered artefacts of historical significance during excavation of the ancient settlement of Kultobe in South Kazakhstan.
The three mounds in Ordabasy district in South Kazakhstan Oblast contained remains of 12 people, including that of a child. They were all buried at different times.
The scientists believe they belong to the mysterious and poorly studied state of Kang-kü or Kangju. The state existed from the 2nd century BC until the 4th century AD and was a nomadic federation of unknown ethnic and linguistic origin. They were one of the greatest powers on the territory of Central Asia for about two centuries and even the Chinese had to reckon with this power in the West. Still, little is known about Kangju.
Alexandr Podushkin, leader of the excavations.
Scientific advisor of Kultobe excavations Aleksandr Podushkin said: “The religion of the time was Zoroastrianism. However, no signs of Zoroastrianism can be traced here. But we did find religious Dualism - the belief in the afterworld shows itself very clearly,” he is quoted as saying by 24.kz.
In addition to the human remains, the three tombs also contained more than 100 archeological artefacts, some of which were household items and precious jewellery dated back as far as 2000 years, Tengrinews reports citing Otyrar.kz. The latter include a beaded necklace, a gold pendant with ruby, ivory bracelets and rock crystal decoration of incredible beauty.
The archaeologists value this rock crystal beads with a ruby pendant framed in gold at 100,000 euros.
Another peculiarity of the discovery is the remains of a noble Sarmatian woman. Beside the body there lay a mirror and other items, which belonged to the diseased during her lifetime
The status of the woman is supported by the artefacts found nearby: a mirror, an incense burner, a knife and many jewelery pieces.
The woman’s dress was embroidered with eighty rolled gold plates.