Horseback ride to the petroglyphs of Kaskabulak -
Natural and archaeological attractions of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve -
The petroglyphs of Kaskabulak are one of the most atmospheric and mysterious places in the south of Kazakhstan, hidden high in the mountains, in the area of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve. At an altitude of about 3,300 meters above sea level in the mountain tract of Kaskabulak, against the backdrop of the powerful snowfield of Mount Kaskabulak, black porphyry rocks became a living canvas for ancient artists. Here, far from the hustle and bustle, among clean air and transparent light, more than two thousand images tell the silent story of the people who lived here thousands of years ago. Mountain goats, argali, marals, hunting scenes, horse racing, milking mares, dances, rituals, camels, turtles and dogs - all of this is drawn by hand, with soul, with feeling.
These drawings are not just art, but the sacred language of ancient nomads, their ideas about the world and space. The unique chronological sequence gives the complex special value: the most ancient images of the Bronze Age, made by dot carving, are adjacent here to Scythian dynamic hunting scenes and Turkic petroglyphs, where horsemen appear for the first time. Scientists note the amazing preservation of many images - thanks to the special microclimate of the gorge and the properties of the local stone, the lines of the drawings have remained clear, despite the passing millennia.
Among the hundreds of Kaskabulak petroglyphs, special attention is drawn to the mysterious solar signs and complex compositions, which some researchers interpret as ancient calendars or star maps. Local residents still pass on legends that on certain days of the year the sun's rays illuminate key images in a special way, possibly marking important dates in the nomadic calendar. Archaeologists have discovered traces of ancient sites and ritual sites near the main clusters of petroglyphs, which confirms the sacred status of this place for many generations of nomads.
How to get there and visit -
Kaskabulak petroglyphs are located in the Kaskabulak tract at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level in the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, Zhambyl Region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 42°23'25"N 70°41'05"E
Information -
The Kaskabulak tract and the Kaskabulak petroglyphs are located in a hard-to-reach mountainous region. To get to the tract and see the drawings, it is necessary to prepare an entire expedition. There is a route that takes place on horseback for 3 days, which passes through the territory of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve. The length of the route is 24 kilometers one way, with two overnight stays in the houses of Kishi-Kaindy and Ulken-Kaindy and begins in the village of Zhabagly. But those who overcome this path will be rewarded with the opportunity to literally touch history - to run their hand along the same lines that our ancestors carved three thousand years ago. The petroglyphs look especially impressive at sunset, when the slanting rays of the sun emphasize each carved line, creating the effect of a three-dimensional image. The main thing is to remember that this fragile evidence of the past requires careful handling: you cannot outline the drawings or try to make "drawings", as this irreversibly damages the patina of time on the surface of the stone. Not only the content of the drawings is surprising, but also the choice of location itself - harsh, hard to reach, with difficult terrain. But this is precisely what makes the Kaskabulak petroglyphs unique, as geologist Pavel Marikovskiy wrote: there is ideal light, clean air and complete silence – ideal conditions for creativity, even if you are several thousand years ago. This route is not for idle onlookers – those who want to feel the breath of eternity come here, who are looking not just for a beautiful photo, but for a connection with something real, deep and genuine. You climb higher and higher, step by step, the air becomes colder, and inside it becomes warmer – because ahead of you there is a meeting with the shadow of those who lived and created long before us.
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