Ancient trade city and Iron Age burial unearthed in Kazakhstan
New discoveries reveal Kazakhstan's historical role as cultural crossroads, from medieval Silk Road hubs to nomadic burial sites.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Archaeologists across Kazakhstan have uncovered new evidence of ancient civilizations, offering rare insight into the region’s legacy as a major conduit for trade and cultural exchange between East and West.
Excavations at the medieval city of Saraishyk in the Atyrau Region have revealed Seljuk-era ceramics and fragments of Chinese celadon porcelain, underscoring the city’s deep integration into historic Eurasian trade routes.
According to Turkish researcher Muharrem Çeken, Saraishyk once maintained vibrant trade ties with China, Anatolia, Byzantium, and Khwarezm during the Golden Horde period.
Among the most striking discoveries are ceramic pipes and a sophisticated water management system, pointing to a high level of urban infrastructure — similar to systems used in medieval Seljuk cities across Anatolia.
“The architecture of cities along the Great Silk Road shares many common features,” Çeken noted. “As early as the Middle Ages, Seljuk palaces used ceramic pipes for drinking water and sewage systems. Fragments of similar systems have now been found in Saraishyk.”
Russian archaeologist Vyacheslav Plakhov emphasized the site’s diversity of imported goods, including Crimean and Chinese artifacts, describing Saraishyk as a “golden bridge” between East and West. Turkish archaeologists are expected to join further excavations later this year.
In the Karaganda Region, a separate team from Buketov Karaganda University unearthed a well-preserved burial complex dating back to the Early Iron Age in the Taldy historical and archaeological park.
As reported by The Astana Times, the burial features a skeleton, iron tools, and remains of small livestock in what scholars identify as a Korgantas-type stone-mound grave.
“This type of burial is rare in our region, and importantly, the burial site remains undisturbed,” said the lead archaeologist.
Researchers believe the burial was constructed between the 4th and 1st centuries BCE atop an even older Bronze Age tomb. The Taldy Valley, home to more than 200 archaeological monuments including a steppe pyramid, continues to yield important finds related to the region’s nomadic past.
Earlier, MNTV reported on the discovery of ceramic vessels, gold ornaments, and iron tools in the Almaty Region, believed to date back to the 3rd or 4th century BCE, further reinforcing Kazakhstan’s significance as a center of ancient civilization.
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