Ancient yurt carving discovered by archaeologists in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz - Archaeologists investigated a nearly 3000 year old pastoralist site in the mountains of the Almaty region and discovered "stone houses.”
Archaeologists from the Margulan Institute conducted research in the Serektas tract in Zhambyl district of Almaty region. In the early 2000s, archaeologist Alexey Maryashev found an ancient settlement and many rock paintings there.
For a long time, there was no money for excavations, but in July of this year, they began at the Seriktas-2 site. Scientists have discovered that this area was used as a wintering site from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.
Seriktas-1 settlement. General view. Photo of the Seriktas expedition

"We were excavating Dongal type houses, dating from the transition period between the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. Previously, traces of this culture had been found in Central Kazakhstan. It was related to the Begazy-Dandybai culture and may have been connected to it. The inhabitants of this area practiced livestock farming," said expedition leader Dr. Albina Yerzhanova.

The team discovered a large dwelling with interior walls made of small stones and an earthen exterior. The house was divided into three rooms with a central hearth and a special heating system involving coal pits. A corridor built of stones led from the street to the house.
The dwelling also had an adjoining storage room with depressions likely used as a primitive refrigerator for food storage.
Excavations. Photo from the archive of Albina Yerzhanova
The remains of bones and stone tools for processing hides indicate that the inhabitants of Seriktas-2 engaged in pastoralism and craftsmanship, with the local environment particularly suitable for these activities, especially during winter.
During the expedition, five settlements and sites of the late Middle Ages and New Age with Kazakh clan tamgas were found.
Multifigure composition of different epochs. Photo from the archive of Albina Yerzhanova
Among the significant finds were numerous rock carvings above the Seriktas-1 settlement, including images of horses, dogs, various tribal symbols, and five depictions of dwellings. One of these was identified as a yurt.
The yurt depicted in the carving is similar to contemporary Kazakh yurts and is dated to the early Medieval period, during the Turkic era. Such images, while not unique, provide valuable insights into the continuity of local lifestyles and traditions.

The research team continues to study the collected materials, including the rock art. Dr. Yerzhanova expressed optimism about the potential for future research in the Seriktas-1 and Seriktas-2 areas, with plans to explore nearby burials next year.