Jewelry of the Saka of the Southeastern Aral Sea region


Zhanbolat U. Aibobek A.
31 March 2024Margulan Institute of Archaeology

Kazakhstan Archeology
2024#2024Issue 19 - 26 pp.

The article provides a detailed analysis of jewelry items found in over ten burials dating back to the Saka period near the southeastern Aral Sea. The study identifies 35 types of yellow metal artifacts. The chronological scope of the research spans from the 4th to the 2nd century BC. Overall, the Shirikrabat archaeological culture exhibits several types of burial structures, including mounds with embankments, mausoleums, simple graves, and pit graves. Monuments of complex construction and diverse burial practices demonstrate a unique syncretism of local traditions and external influences. Based on studies conducted by the Shirikrabat archaeological expedition of the Margulan Institute of Archaeology, jewelry artifacts were discovered. They are morphologically grouped into four categories: zoomorphic, geometric, vegetal, and ornithomorphic. Techniques such as forging, casting, molding, carving, soldering, and bead attachment were used in crafting the jewelry items. Chemical analyses conducted at the K.I. Satpaev Institute of Geological Sciences were employed to determine the gold composition. The examined jewelry items bear resemblance to materials found in unique sites in Southeast, Central, and Eastern Kazakhstan, as well as the Altai.

geometric , jewelry , ornithomorphic , plant , shirikrabat culture , Syrdarya , zoomorphic

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Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Margulan Institute of Archaeology

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