"A rare intact grave of a Saka warrior has been uncovered in the Karaganda Region of central Kazakhstan. It dates to the 7th6th centuries B.C. and contains important grave goods accompanying the undisturbed skeletal remains of an adult male, most notably a skillfully crafted double-edged sword that is unique for the region. Archaeologists from the Karaganda Regional History Museum unearthed the warrior tomb in the Karabie burial site in the Aktogay district."
"They expected to find damaged graves looted in antiquity, as happens in 90% of Saka burials, but when they excavated Kurgan No. 1, the team found the stone ceiling slabs topping the mound still intact. When they removed the slabs, they found the contents of the grave and its occupant untouched. The articulated skeleton of a man was found lying on his back, his head facing northwest."
"The akinak is the first of its form and design found in Kazakhstan. It is 30 cm (12 inches) long, and was cast in a single piece, handle and all, with a distinct reinforcing rib. It is intricately ornamented, the handle decorated with the corkscrew shaped horns of the Karaganda argali (wild sheep) at the guard and two large-beaked bird heads representing the steppe eagle and the golden eagle, at the hilt.."
A rare intact Saka warrior kurgan was excavated in Karabie, Aktogay district, Karaganda Region, dating to the 7th–6th centuries B.C. The stone ceiling slabs of Kurgan No. 1 remained intact, leaving the articulated skeleton of an adult male undisturbed. The man lay on his back with his head facing northwest, his right hand gripping a double-bladed bronze akinak and five bronze arrowheads placed near his left foot. A delicate golden earring over iron was found near the skull. The 30 cm akinak was cast in one piece with a reinforcing rib and ornate handle featuring argali horns and two bird heads. The finds demonstrate advanced Saka metalworking and ritual burial practices.
Read at www.thehistoryblog.com
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