Late Sarmatian Akbulak II Sanctuary in Western Kazakhstan

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to publish the results of excavations of the late Sarmatian period sanctuary at the Akbulak II burial ground in Western Kazakhstan. The sanctuary is an earthen square fence with a side length of 19–21 m, the height of the ramparts is 0.25 m. There was an entrance portal on the south side. In the center of the sanctuary there was a earthen table and fragments of clay vessels. Probably, these are the remains of cult rituals and funeral feasts. In the western part of the portal, at a depth of 1.65 m, there was the burial of a warrior with his head turned to the northwest. He had a sword with a pommel made of stone, about 100 cm long, horse harness details and a bronze fibula clasp. According to the burial rite and grave goods, the burial dates back to the II–III centuries AD and belongs to the late Sarmatian culture. Also this paper discusses the history of studying and opinions on the purpose of late Sarmatian sanctuaries. It is concluded that the earthen fences of the late Sarmatian period in Western Kazakhstan can be interpreted as family or ancestral sanctuaries of the corresponding groups of nomads. The inner “courtyards” of the sanctuaries were built purposefully burial and memorial rituals not only in honor of the head of the family/clan buried in this construction, but also in honor of the buried relatives in neighboring barrows.

Keywords

• archaeology
• western kazakhstan
• late sarmatian culture
• sanctuary
• burial rite
• fibula