Research in East Kazakhstan

The expedition of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Pedagogical Institute continued the study of rock carvings on the eastern spurs of the Kalbinsky Range.

In the Karymsak tract, on a small plain bordered by low hills, 110 images of mountain goats carved on the eastern side of a 40 m long granite vein were studied. Most of the drawings are poorly preserved. 1.5 km east of the location of the petroglyphs, on the right bank of the Karymsak stream, a settlement and several Andronovo fences were discovered. The lifting material was collected, consisting of ceramics and animal bones. Some of the fragments are ornamented with geometric patterns applied with a large-toothed stamp, and some are decorated with flutes. Fragments of coarse kitchen ceramics predominate. The preliminary date of settlement is the late stage of the Bronze Age.

Several new groups of rock carvings have been discovered in the Sagyr tract. Of most significant interest is the scene of the battle of two warriors. Composite bows hang on their belts in quivers, and they are also armed with chasers. There are images of two warriors armed with clubs standing face to face. Below - goats, horses and a man in whose hands a hook. Next to it, several signs are fixed, reminiscent of the tamga of individual clans of the Kazakhs of the Middle Zhuz. Most of the petroglyphs probably belong to the 1st millennium BC, but there are later ones.