Sengir-tam 2: new research on the site in Eastern Aral Sea region

Zholdasbek Kurmankulov,Zhanbolat Raimkulovich Utubayev

doi:10.17816/snv201984204

Abstract

The paper presents the excavations results from the new site of the early Iron Age Sengir-tam 2, located in the lower stream of the Syr Darya River in Kyzylorda Region. The site is a grave consisting of 23 ground mounds. There are west and east groups located in chain order and oriented along the west-east line. To date, six mounds have been explored on the site. It has been revealed that the grave was robbed in ancient times. Archaeological works on the high ground of Sengir-tam 2 showed that burials were carried out here for a long time. The excavations revealed pieces of horse tack, iron knives, beads and helmet plaque, ceramics. The burial rite and equipment recorded on the site have direct similarities with other burial complexes of Eastern Aral Sea, particularly among the materials of the graves of South Tagisken and Uigarak dated by VIIV centuries BC. It should be noted that Sengir-tam 2 is still the third site discovered in the interfluve of Incardarya and Zhanadarya. According to the materials received, the population of Eastern Aral Sea region had links with the other cultures of the Saka time from Altay in the east to the Black Sea in the west.

Highlights

Волгоградский институт управления – филиал Российской академии народного хозяйства и государственной службы при Президенте Российской Федерации
The upper cultural layers of the site under study can be referred to the culture of the Lower Ob River region of the early Middle Ages (1st–4th centuries DC), they contain residuals of a wooden flooring, a fireforge, and some amount of ceramics
Причем на одной части возвышенности (Сенгир-там 1) погребальный обряд связан со строительством сырцовых сооружений, тогда как на другой (Сенгир-там 2) – основная конструкция погребальной камеры и сопутствующий обряд связаны с сооружением курганов

Summary

Introduction

Волгоградский институт управления – филиал Российской академии народного хозяйства и государственной службы при Президенте Российской Федерации The upper cultural layers of the site under study can be referred to the culture of the Lower Ob River region of the early Middle Ages (1st–4th centuries DC), they contain residuals of a wooden flooring, a fireforge, and some amount of ceramics. Археологические работы на возвышенности Сенгир-там 2 показали, что погребения совершались здесь на протяжении длительного времени.

Results

Conclusion