Shilikty

The Shilikty archaeological site, located in the Shilikty Valley of eastern Kazakhstan, is notable for its Early Saka kurgans dating from the 8th to 6th centuries BCE. Carbon-14 dating has refined this timeline to approximately 730-690 BCE, showcasing its contemporaneity with the Arzhan-2 kurgan in Tuva. The site is significant due to the vast quantities of precious golden jewelry discovered within the kurgans, including the remains of a 'golden man' akin to the famous Issyk kurgan golden man, with an astonishing 4,262 gold finds. This reveals the wealth and craftsmanship of the Saka culture during this period, providing invaluable insights into the funerary practices and social hierarchy of the time.