Rare 9th-10th Century Kyrgyz Burial Site Discovered in Altai

An exceptionally rare Kyrgyz burial site, dating back to the 9th to early 10th centuries, has been unearthed in Russia's Altai region. Archaeologists studying the site reported the use of a cremation rite, a practice that offers valuable new information on the historical settlement and development of this territory.

The discovery was made in the Balchikov-3 tract of the Charyshsky district in Altai Krai during the most recent field season. This find is considered significant due to its rarity for the specified period in Altai. Adding to the site's historical depth, archaeologists also uncovered Chalcolithic artifacts estimated to be around 5,000 years old in the same area.

Further exploration in the vicinity is focusing on a large royal burial mound from the Pazyryk culture of the Scythian era, measuring approximately 15 meters in diameter. Nearby, a cluster of later Turkic burial mounds, dating from the 7th to 9th centuries, are also under investigation. Scientists are meticulously comparing Turkic monuments from various regions to identify commonalities and distinctions, aiming to reconstruct the historical and cultural processes of the early Middle Ages in the Altai and Central Asia.

Expeditions by the Greater Altai Center are conducted annually across Altai Krai, the Altai Republic, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, involving an international team of scientists, students, and volunteers. Future plans include inviting specialists from Uzbekistan. The findings from the current field season will undergo thorough scientific analysis, including radiocarbon dating and other modern technologies, to precisely determine the age of the monuments before their results are presented.

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scientists are comparing Turkic monuments from different regions, identifying their common and distinctive features, and reconstructing the historical and cultural processes of the early Middle Ages.