Issyk kurgan
Kazakhstan

Issyk kurgan

Large burial mound with rich artifacts

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

The Issyk kurgan is an archaeological site located in south-eastern Kazakhstan, near the Issyk Mountain River. Dating to the 4th century BCE, it is characterized by a large burial mound with a height of 6 meters and a circumference of 60 meters. The site is notable for its association with the Saka peoples and contains two burials, though the central one was looted. The side grave remained intact, yielding a wealth of artifacts including over 4,000 gold ornaments, weapons, and a silver cup with an undeciphered inscription. These artifacts, along with the skeleton of an individual believed to be a young Saka prince or princess, have led to the site being dubbed the

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Visual Archive

Gallery

Explore photographs of ancient structures, artifacts, and archaeological excavations

File14._Head_of_tiger_burial_mound_Issyk_v.-IV._B.C._Kazakstan.JPG
File20._Elk._Burial_mound_Issyk_V.-IV._B.C._Kazakhstan.JPG
FileA_kurgan_at_Issyk.JPG
+5 More
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Issyk Inscription Creation

6th to 5th century BCE

Golden Man Burial

4th century BCE

Construction of Issyk Kurgan

4th century BCE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Miscellaneous Features

Buried Treasure
category

Burial and Funerary Structures

TombsFunerary Mounds
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

Inscriptions
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

Kazakhstan

Coordinates

43.33° N, 77.62° E