Gold treasure found by archaeologists at Eleke Sazy Burial Ground in East Kazakhstan region

The discovery found in Eleke Sazy Valley was declared another sensation in Tarbagatai district.

A group of scientists from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, chaired by archaeologist and professor Abdesh Toleubayev, found artifacts representing the decoration of one set of horse harness of the ruler of the Saka society. The finds were presented today in the Regional Local History Museum.

A total of 850 gold items, all of them, most likely, fragments of a ceremonial horse team. According to scientists, the treasure belongs to the Middle Saka time - of the V-IV centuries BC, and some specimens are simply unique.

“The treasure was not found in the burial mound. This indicates that the leader's grave was a place of worship. For a long time after the death of the leader, people came to this sacred place and left gifts to the aruakhs - the spirits of their ancestors. The Saka-Scythians and later Turkic tribes had such a custom. In this regard, we are unequivocally convinced that the ruler was buried there,” Abdesh Toleubayev said.

Proceeding from this, the scientists once again confirmed their other guess - in the era of the early Shilikty golden man, our ancestors already had an established form of statehood. Moreover, the found artifacts indicate that the Saka-Scythian society was socially ranked - it was clearly divided into very rich and very poor representatives.

All found items are made in the animal style. According to the manufacturing technology, materials, shapes and themes, gold jewelry is preliminary dated to the V- IV centuries BC and is monuments of art of Saki of Tarbagatai.

“We can say for sure that the ancient masters did not copy each other. Each master had their own handwriting. All found items are very elegant, made with great care. Most other horse ornaments were made of thin foil. Decorations are made of dense gold, the foil is also thicker. I have never met such rich, dense ornaments for horse equipment,” Abdesh Toleubayev said.

According to scientists, the pendant of a panther tiger with large ears is of greatest interest. Bell pendants are at the feet of the mythological animal. Scientists were also interested in a chain made of double gold wire with two pendants and carnelian stones at the ends. Another rare finding attracted special attention of archaeologists, which has not been found before, is a pendant in the form of a mythological eared predatory animal of the cat family.

By the way, according to the manufacturing technology, materials, forms and subjects, gold jewelry, tentatively, also dates back to the V- IV centuries BC and are monuments of art of Saki of Tarbagatai. The uniqueness of the jewelry is manifested in individuality, wealth, high-quality performance.

“The ancient masters did not copy each other. Each master had their own handwriting. All found items are very elegant, made with great care. Most other horse ornaments were made of thin foil. Decorations are made of dense gold, the foil is also thicker. I have never met such rich, dense ornaments for horse equipment,” Abdesh Toleubayev emphasized.

He also noted that a bronze and gold smithy was found nearby, 50 meters far from the mound.

According to Abdesh Toleubayev, these findings are just the beginning. After all, archaeologists still have enough work to do. Soon they are going to start researching of 4 small mounds.

Photo Shygys Akparat, Tleubek Shayakhmet