Shilikty Central Terrace Kurgan (Shilikty Chilikty Middle Terrace Royal)
Central Shilikty Mound · Shilikty Middle Terrace
Early Saka (Arzhan–Shilikty 800–700 BCE) — Shilikty middle terrace·Saka of eastern Kazakhstan (Mayemer–Shilikty)·🇰🇿 East Kazakhstan Region, Zaisan District, Shilikty (Chilikty) Valley middle terrace, Markakol foothills (Shilikty Valley central), Kazakhstan
About
About Shilikty Central Terrace Kurgan (Shilikty Chilikty Middle Terrace Royal)
Central terrace of Shilikty (Chilikty) Valley (1,280 m), East Kazakhstan Zaisan, between Markakol and Tarbagatai ranges — golden triangle valley hosting 200 Saka kurgans 8th–6th c BCE. 0 m larch with 4 compartments: western horse burial 13 horses, eastern human central with 432 gold plaques eagle-griffin style and iron akinakes gilded. Excavated 2003–08 Samashev Shilikty expedition: plaque of 209 gold finds including stag 22 cm. Radiocarbon Tien Shan spruce 730 BCE early Saka.
Stone ring 28 m oak outer. Valley is classic Saka Issyk–Chilikty east Saka province. Threatened by Zaisan road widening and ploughing lower terrace.
Why it mattersMiddle terrace royal bridging Arzhan–Mayemer 800 BCE earliest Saka royal — 13 horse western compartment unique.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Eagle-griffin vs Pazyryk stag co-occurrence
Theories
- 01Zaisan–Markakol pasture corridor control via terraced valley stratigraphy
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.800 – 700 BCE (730 BCE)
- Period
- Early Saka (Arzhan–Shilikty 800–700 BCE) — Shilikty middle terrace
- Culture
- Saka of eastern Kazakhstan (Mayemer–Shilikty)
- Builders
- Shilikty central terrace Mayemer–Saka elite
- Purpose
- Middle terrace royal of 200-mound valley — eagle-griffin gold province controlling Markakol–Zaisan pasture corridor
- Abandoned
- c.550 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 2003 Samashev Shilikty #18 68 m excavation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
730 BCE
Mound #18 68 m stag 22 cm 432 plaques
2008
Samashev Shilikty valley 200-mound survey
On the ground
Structures & features
47.4200° N · 82.1500° E · 1280 m · 2 mapped features
4-Compartment Larch Chamber (4.2×3.0 m)
tombWestern 13 horses + central 432 plaques stag 22 cm eagle-griffin
47.4210° N · 82.1510° EOuter Oak Ring (28 m)
earthworkOak outer ring 28 m around mound — Shilikty middle terrace variant
47.4220° N · 82.1520° E