In the Turkistan region of southern Kazakhstan, archaeologists have made a significant discovery of ancient artifacts, including gold jewelry, arrowheads, and a large bronze mirror, dating back approximately 2,000 years.

Archaeologists excavated three ancient graves in the Tolebaitobe burial ground. Credit: Ozbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University

The discoveries were made at the Tolebaitobe burial ground in the Karaaspan rural district of the Ordabasy district. The artifacts are thought to have been made at the time of the Kangju state, a relatively obscure enтιтy that controlled this area between the fifth century BCE and the fourth century CE.

The excavations were conducted by a team from Kazakhstan’s Ozbekali Zhanibekov University and local government archaeologists. They explored three burial mounds in the Ordabasinsky district. While two of these mounds had been looted in antiquity, the third remained intact, revealing a treasure trove of artifacts that demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship and the extensive trade connections of the Kangju state.

Among the most notable discoveries was a bronze mirror believed to originate from China during the Han dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE). The mirror is circular, with an eight-sided arched design on the back and a central hole for threading. Similar mirrors have been found across Eurasia, including in Afghanistan and the southern Ural region. This particular mirror was found in the grave of a high-status woman, suggesting her wealth and influence.

Two highly ornate gold earrings found at the site. Credit: Ozbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University

The archaeologists also uncovered a range of other artifacts, including a Roman-style brooch known as a fibula, various beads, a pottery jug, a shoe, a belt buckle, and an arrowhead designed for hunting birds.

Among these items were two highly ornate gold earrings dating back to the first century BCE. These earrings, crafted from a colorful alloy known as polychromatic gold, are crescent-shaped to represent the moon and adorned with turquoise and rubies. Their intricate design, featuring decorations resembling clusters of grapes, was intended to reflect sunlight.

According to officials from the regional government of Turkistan, these artifacts demonstrate the sophisticated craftsmanship of the Kangju state and its connections with powerful empires such as Rome, Byzantium, the Kushan Empire, and China.”

The Kangju state was a federation of different peoples, including nomadic groups such as the Sarmatians, Xiongnu, and Saka (possibly Scythians). Its location along the Great Silk Road facilitated diplomatic and trade relations across the ancient world.”

The Kangju state, sometimes referred to as “Kanly,” thrived as a major economic and cultural hub along the Silk Road, the ancient trade routes that linked China with the Mediterranean. Despite its eventual decline, the state’s legacy is evident in the artifacts unearthed in Turkistan.

Researchers involved in the excavation noted that the artifacts found in the third mound had been well-preserved. The artifacts will soon be displayed at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana.