In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts in the western Atyrau region of Kazakhstan, unveiling the once-thriving heartland of the Sarmatian culture. The excavations, conducted during 2023 and 2024, revealed human remains, ceramics, wooden bowls, and black "touchstones" with gold handles. This significant find at the Karabau-2 burial mound highlights the opulent lifestyles of the Sarmatians who dominated the vast steppes from the fifth century B.C. to the fourth century A.D.
The Karabau-2 kurgan, towering about 10 feet (3 meters) high and spanning a diameter of approximately 230 feet (70 meters), served as a burial site for at least nine individuals. Remarkably, only two of these graves had fallen prey to looters. Archaeologists have recovered over 1,000 artifacts from the region's burial mounds, including around 100 gold ornaments and jewelry pieces crafted in the distinctive "animalistic" Sarmatian style.
"Images of predators that inhabited the region at that time — leopards, wild boars, tigers — can be seen on the found items," – Kassenov
Among the notable discoveries is a gold bracelet weighing about 13 ounces (370 grams), underscoring the wealth and status of those interred in the kurgan. The high value of the artifacts suggests that the site served as a burial ground for affluent or even "royal" Sarmatians.
The Sarmatians were a nomadic people potentially linked to the broader Scythian culture, which stretched from the Black Sea to China. Renowned for their prowess as heavy cavalry, they later allied with Gothic and other Germanic tribes in the post-Roman landscape. The recent excavations also included two other burial mounds a few miles away, each containing between 10 to 15 graves. These sites yielded iron and bronze weapons, jewelry, household items, and silver "pictograms" depicting a saiga antelope and a wolf.
The findings at these burial mounds provide valuable insights into the cultural and historical significance of the Sarmatians. As nomadic warriors, they played a crucial role in shaping the regions between Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The artifacts not only reflect their artistic prowess but also their interconnectedness with other cultures through alliances and conflicts.
