Besshatyr Outlier Mound 16 (Shylbyr Adjunct)
Besshatyr Mound 16 Shylbyr · Altyn-Emel Outlier Northeast
Late Saka (post-Besshatyr royal)·Late Saka with Chinese contact·🇰🇿 Jetisu Region, Kerbulak District, Altyn-Emel, Besshatyr East Outlier, Kazakhstan
About
About Besshatyr Outlier Mound 16 (Shylbyr Adjunct)
Northeastern outlier 2.5 km northeast of main Besshatyr rows (625 m) toward Shylbyr gorge entry to Altyn-Emel, representing latest Besshatyr phase (3rd c. BCE). Mound 16 is 48 m diam, 4.8 m high, isolated 800 m from nearest south-row mound, with unique east-facing stone anthropomorph stela 2.4 m high at mound foot (Balbal) carrying runic Tamga. Excavated 2018: robbed but intact floor deposit with 12 gold deer plaques and Warring States bronze mirror (Chinese import) dating to 300 BCE, confirming late Saka–Chinese contact. Outlier suggests expansion toward gorge water source.
Why it mattersLatest Besshatyr phase with Chinese Warring States import proving 300 BCE east–west exchange.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why isolate 800 m beyond rows—founder vs last king
Theories
- 01Late dynasty expansion to gorge
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.350 – 250 BCE
- Period
- Late Saka (post-Besshatyr royal)
- Culture
- Late Saka with Chinese contact
- Builders
- Late Saka Altyn-Emel elites with Warring States trade
- Purpose
- Northeastern outlier marking gorge-water expansion phase of Besshatyr necropolis
- Abandoned
- c.200 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 2018 Shylbyr gorge systematic survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
350 BCE
Outlier M16 construction late phase
2018
Excavation finds Chinese bronze mirror
On the ground
Structures & features
43.9380° N · 78.3850° E · 625 m · 2 mapped features
M16 Balbal Stela 2.4 m
stelaGranite Balbal with Tamga at east foot of outlier
43.9390° N · 78.3860° EM16 Pit Floor Gold Deposit
burial chamberPit floor with 12 gold deer plaques and Chinese mirror
43.9370° N · 78.3840° E