Ancient cities and settlements of Northern Kazakhstan -
Tourism in the North Kazakhstan region -
Ak Iriy is an ancient city, a settlement of the 5th century, translated from the Kazakh language means “White Paradise” (ak-white, iriy-rai), it is the remains of an ancient city and is an architectural monument in the North Kazakhstan region. In ancient times, the city was inhabited by Saka tribes; the settlement served as a kind of advanced fortress. During archaeological excavations inside the fortified city, scientists discovered houses, blacksmith shops and remains of ceramic production. According to researchers, the old city was built for religious, economic and defensive purposes.
How to get there, visit -
The Ak-Iriy settlement is located 3.5 kilometers from the village of Dolmatovo, Kyzylzhar district, North Kazakhstan region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 55°18'08"N 69°30'38"E
Information -
The Ak-Iriy settlement was discovered and explored in 1966; after this date, excavations and research are regularly carried out at the settlement. The city was surrounded by defensive ditches, fences, and other fortifications; houses with an area of 35-45 square meters were discovered here with columns at the corners and in the middle of the walls supporting the roof; the walls were made of clay mortar. On the upper surface today, a fortress wall up to one meter high and a defensive ditch about one meter deep are completely visible. During the excavations, the main (central) and additional (external) entrances to the territory of the old city were discovered. Many burnt bricks confirm that the technology of brick production and brick construction was also used in White Paradise. From the objects found, it is clear that the inhabitants of the city reached a very high level of development in the early period of the Iron Age. The remains of metal smelting furnaces confirm that the ancients knew metallurgy technology well and smelted metal. In 2013, archaeologists from North Kazakhstan State University proposed opening an open-air archaeological museum at the excavation site of the old city of Ak Iriy. According to scientists, such a museum makes it possible to attract large groups of tourists who will be able to relax in nature and at the same time get acquainted with the historical monuments of Kazakhstan.
Ak-Iriy settlement in the North Kazakhstan region
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