Saka mounds in the Almaty region -
Architectural monuments of ancient tribes of Kazakhstan -
Boralday is an archaeological complex that includes 47 Saka mounds, here you can see restoration models of ancient people's dwellings. There are also mounds that are open for viewing, you can enter them to see how the mounds were made from the inside. The unique monument was discovered in 2006 during aerial photography to simulate a 3D map. Then, on the direct initiative of the Mayor of Almaty, its territory was completely fenced off, and research work began. The archaeological complex, which tells about thousands of years of history, was included in the list of national sacred sites of Kazakhstan in 2018. In addition, the complex is one of 6 monuments included in the national list of sacred sites in the city of Almaty. This historical site has been preserved to this day. Appropriate work is currently underway to preserve the open-air museum. There are plans to start the construction of a Saka culture center in this archaeological complex.
How to get there, visit -
The Boraldai Archaeological Complex is located near the village of Boraldai, a suburb of Almaty, the left bank of the Bolshaya Almatinka River, Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan. GPS coordinates: 43°20'15"N 76°52'07"E
Information -
The Boraldai Saka burial mounds were investigated, excavations were carried out here, scientists found that the burial mound complex was inhabited by Saka tribes who inhabited Semirechye in the VIII-III century BC. On the territory of the archaeological park with a total area of 435 hectares there are 47 burial mounds of the Saka-Usun tribes dating back to the Early Iron Age. The largest of the mounds in the complex reaches 14 meters in height and occupies about 80-150 meters in diameter. According to Alzhan Imanaliev, an employee of the complex, a scientific conclusion was made that representatives of the ruling dynasties of the Saka and Usun tribes were buried in this necropolis.
On the territory of the historical complex, which is 3 kilometers long and 800 meters wide, there are several layouts that provide visitors with information about how ancient Saks were buried. The models, compiled on the basis of data revealed in the complex of archaeological excavations, show that the deceased was buried in Saki along with the dishes. This suggests that our ancestors had the idea that even then there was life after death. There are even some burials where people were buried with horses. Among the horses, there are those whose tail-mane is braided with golden threads. It is believed that wealthy people were buried in such necropolises.
Inside the Boralday complex there is a reconstructed version of one of the houses of the ancient Saks, separate from the burial grounds. Although the house, dating from the IV century BC, looks like a hut, the interior and the house resemble a yurt. Initially, a similar hut was discovered among the mountain rocks in the 1970s of the last century, when the construction of the Medeu skating rink was underway. This artifact was found at a distance of 300 meters from the place where the famous sports complex now stands. Interestingly, the hut coming out from under the rocks and loose soil was not destroyed.
Barrows of Boraldai in the Almaty region village of Boraldai
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