Merke Turkic Sanctuaries

The Turkic Sanctuaries of Merke (Kazakh: Мерке түрік ордасы, romanized: Merke türik ordası) are located in southern Kazakhstan, roughly 37 km south of present-day Merke in the Jambyl Province. At 3000 m high, the sanctuaries in this mountainous region of Kirghizki Alatau number more than 170 over nearly 250 km2. The sites are well-preserved at the moment due to their isolation and relative difficulty of access. Each site may include small stelae (one to four), possibly representing the ancestors buried underneath.