Mausoleum, Necropolis and Rare Trade Artifacts Found in Northern Kazakhstan

Archaeologists have discovered a mausoleum from the Golden Horde era, a medieval necropolis and rare artifacts in northern Kazakhstan. The finds point to trade links between the Great Steppe and other regions, Orda.kz reports, citing the Ministry of Science.

Scientists and students from Margulan University are studying archaeological sites from the Golden Horde period. The expedition is working in Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan and Akmola regions, with special attention paid to the Zhantai tract.

One of the main finds was traces of a large structure.

Archaeologists found fragments of burnt bricks in the tract. Studies showed that they match the so-called Golden Horde standard — 25 by 25 centimeters. Such bricks were used to build palaces, mosques and mausoleums. According to preliminary data, the architectural complex may have been a mausoleum of steppe nobility from the 14th–15th centuries. A large necropolis from the same period was found nearby.

During the excavations, archaeologists also found decorative clothing plates and a set of beads. The ornaments are made of a complex bronze alloy, which points to a high level of metallurgy in the Irtysh region during the Golden Horde era.

An unexpected find was a cowry shell, which comes from the Indian Ocean. Scientists believe it reached the Kazakh steppe through trade routes that connected the region with South Asia.

The beads were also imported. According to archaeologists, this confirms that the inhabitants of the Great Steppe actively traded and maintained ties with distant territories of Eurasia.

Original author: Raushan Korzhumbekova

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