Memorial monuments of early and medieval nomads of the archaeological complex Kokentau

Abstract

The article presents the results of field research and interpretation of materials from memorial complexes of ancient and medieval nomads of Kokentau archaeological microregion. The monument is located in the Zhana Semey district of the Abai region. The authors are conducting work in this archaeological microregion to identify, systematize, study, and introduce memorial sites into scientific circulation. The proposed article is one of the first attempts to introduce into scientific circulation memorial sites of the early Saka and ancient Turkic periods. The first evidence of the utilization of sacred space in the Kokentau mountain range begins in the Neolithic period. Ancient people began to erect burial-memorial structures to perpetuate the memory of their deceased compatriots, where various memorial rituals were conducted. The main component of the memorial tradition is the burial mound, but also included are fences, megalithic structures, and stone sculptures. The authors of the article, based on the materials of the Kokentau mountain range, demonstrate how changes in society's religious worldview influenced the architectural layout of memorial sites and rituals. The chronological framework of the "eight-stone" structures was determined based on comparative and radiocarbon analysis. Comparative analysis methods with similar objects from the Semirechye and Sayan-Altai regions were used to determine the time of construction of the ancient Turkic fence.