Photo Exhibition dedicated to historical sites and cultural monuments of Kazakhstan

Petroglyphs of Tamgaly. Tamgaly is a petroglyph site located Zhetysu, Kazakhstan. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that featured approximately 5 000 rock etchings of variety of scenes (including those in “animal style” with drawings of eagles, boar, deer, goats, wild rams) the earliest of which date from the middle of the Bronze Age, 3,500 years ago. The petroglyphs stand out in pale contrast to the dark rock revealing myriad drawings: sun deities with rays shining from their heads, warriors on horses, dancing shamans, and herds of animals. Over millennia, earthquakes had split Tamgaly’s sandstone rocks and created flat, smooth surfaces. At some stage, Bronze Age peoples first began to etch petroglyphs into the soft, smooth rock using sharp stones or metal instruments to create pictures in the dark patina on the rock faces.

The Golden Man, or Altyn Adam, is perhaps the most famous and significant archaeological discovery in Kazakhstan at the present time. A Kazakh archaeologist Kemal Akishev discovered the Saka gold artefacts near Almaty in 1969 (the Saka were a group of Eurasian nomads). In a site known as the Issyk burial, he found a warrior’s costume made from approximately 4,800 gold items of warriors’ attire sent to the afterlife with a Saka warrior. The Golden Man became the personification of courage of the defenders of the land on which the ancestors of today’s Kazakhs – Saks, Huns, Usuns, Kipchak – lived.

Animal Style Art of the ancient Saka people. Kazakh ancestors used the images of animals in everyday life to show a strong connection between people and nature. These images were often produced with the use of the most advanced techniques of the time, including the smelting and casting of copper and bronze, and the complex manufacturing of gold sheets. In Scythian art the multitude of animal representations well illustrates the preoccupation of the nomadic people with animals in their environment. Animal-shaped style reflected the mythology, the ethical and aesthetic ideals of the warrior-nomad. Animals were considered to have magical power and to provide protection against evil or disaster and representations of them thus occupied an important place in life.

Berel Mounds. The Mounds are located in the Shilikty Valley in the East Kazakhstan Province. It consists of 72 graves, dating back to 5-4 centuries BC. The most significant burial of the necropolis is the Golden Barrow of Kings. At Berel, scientists discovered the phenomenon of frozen tombs or ice lenses composed of artificial permafrost: They contain a stone mound and fine gravel without filler that acts as a natural cold preservative. Because human remains were preserved in this way through the millennia they still contain invaluable information that is enabling archaeologists, historians and scientists today to rediscover the culture, crafts and history of the nomads. Today, the famous Berel mound treasure is considered to be one of the priceless treasures of the world. These archaeological finds are unique examples of the brilliant art of the ancient peoples of Eurasia.

Horse tack reconstruction. Master-restorer Krym Altynbekov using patented technology was able to reproduce the beauty and majesty of the ancient king’s horse. The Saka often portrayed their horses as divine, supernatural creatures, outfitting them with wooden horns and gold-leaf gilded ornamentation. In one unearthed kurgan, a man was interred with a woman—who was presumed to be his mother—in a large sarcophagus, surrounded by 13 horses that were sacrificed for the burial. Three of the horses were decorated to resembled supernatural creatures, and wearing leather masks with wooden horns painstakingly decorated with gold leaf.

The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a distinguished Sufi master of the 12th century, is situated in southern Kazakhstan, in the north-eastern section of the city of Turkestan (Yasi). Built between 1389 and 1405, by order of Timur (Tamerlane), the ruler of Central Asia, it replaced a smaller 12th century mausoleum. In this partly unfinished building, master builders experimented with architectural and structural solutions. The Mausoleum maintains an exceptionally high degree of authenticity as a monument as it has preserved its architectural design and workmanship, as well as the original materials. This monumental building, 39 m (128 ft) high, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Mausoleum of Коzу Korpesh and Bayan Sulu is а unique architectural monument dating from Kazakh nomads of the X - XI centuries. It is called after characters of an early-medieval epic. The monument is 11.65 meters high and symbolizes the immortal tragic love of the young couple. Old and very beautiful legend about love between Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan Sulu, is somewhat reminiscent of the world-known story of Romeo and Juliet.

Ancient City of Otrar (also known as Farab) was a significant cultural and trade center. In addition, it was of great diplomatic and military strategic importance. In the past century, the first studies and excavations were carried out, discovering an ancient palace, mosques, and baths. Antique ceramics, metal tools, coins, and jewelry were also found. Now these artifacts can be seen in museums across the country. The city has a history dating back 2 thousand years. Visitors will be able to learn it thoroughly. The government with the assistance of UNESCO is working on the preservation of historical monuments.

Ancient City of Sauran. In the Turkistan Province, there once was a thriving medieval city, Sauran. One of the earliest mentions of the city was made in the 10th century. From these records it can be judged that the city was very advanced and served as a major administrative center. According to the ancient chronicles, the residents were engaged in craft and the improvement of the city, built fortifications and a plumbing system. The city had underground water pipelines with a total length of almost 110 km (68 mi). At the moment, archaeological excavations are being carried out on the territory of the ancient settlement of Sauran and some restoration works are being done under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Mausoleum of the Taksai Princess was unveiled in West Kazakhstan Province. The Taksai burial mound complex is one of the seven sacred places of Kazakhstan. It is seven meters high and four meters wide. The complex consisting of four burial mounds was unearthed in 2012 by archeologists of the West Kazakhstan history and archeology center. There was found a grave of a noble woman of Sarmathian period, entirely dripping with gold of the purest tint, Altyn Khanshaiym (Golden Princess). The total weigh of gold found there was 3 kg. Even her dress was gold threaded. The richness and complexity of the obsequies prove her high status. The burial site of the young woman dates to 5th century BC.

The area of ​​distribution of ancient Türkic runic inscriptions in Kazakhstan is quite wide - these are the valleys of the Talas, Ili, Syrdarya, Irtysh, Zhaiyk rivers. Basically, these are inscriptions on ceramics, bronze mirrors, a clay printing, and a shield of a bronze ring. Monuments of ancient Turkic writing are an exceptionally valuable source for language, history, ethnogenesis, geography, and written culture. They are witnesses of the high level of linguistic culture and statehood of the distant ancestors of the Kazakh people.