Archaeological Complexes from Catacomb of South Kazakhstan in the Context of Sarmatian Themes

Abstract

The article is devoted to archaeological research of new discovered burial structures in the form of catacomb at the Kylyshzhar cemetery (1st century BC – 3rd century AD), in which artifacts were found similar to the monuments of the Sarmatian appearance. They include a number of ritual actions and burial implements close to the burial practice of the Sarmatians: range and blade weapons (iron tang daggers with a stone pommel, arrowheads), horse tack (iron girth buckles), bronze mirrors, household items and ritual objects (iron buckles, chalk amulets), jewelry (Egyptian faience ribbed beads). The characteristics of the grave goods from the catacombs of the Kylyshzhar cemetery, chronological calculations and ethno cultural interpretations indicate partial similarity between mentioned burials and the Sarmatian monuments of the 1st century BC – 3rd century AD despite major differences in such significant details of the funeral rite as the construction of burial pits and the orientation of the buried ones.

Keywords

• south kazakhstan
• catacomb archaeological monuments
• sarmatian similarities
• sarmatians
• kangyui
• grave goods