USHBULAK-1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX IN SOUTHERN TARBAGATAI (RESULTS OF 2024 FIELD RESEARCH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26577/JH2025118317Keywords:
East Kazakhstan, Tarbagatai Ridge, Ushbulak, cemetery, early Iron Age, Bronze Age, petroglyphs, settlement.Abstract
The paper presents preliminary results of archaeological research at the Ushbulak complex in the 2024 field season. The complex, located in the southern foothills of the Tarbagatai ridge, consists of a Bronze Age burial ground, 10 multi-layered dwellings of a settlement nature, as well as several groups of petroglyphs. The purpose of the study is to determine the cultural and chronological affiliation of the Ushbulak archaeological complex. Today, the study of various archaeological sites in the complex is of great scientific importance. Since it reveals the entire life of an ancient society. To solve the tasks, the study of the complex and its materials was carried out in a holistic manner. In the course of the study, traditional methods of archeology in general were primarily used: excavations using a comprehensive methodology, as well as mapping of monuments with reference to settlements and water sources, studying the topography and layout of burial grounds, classifying the material complex, dating methods by similarity and natural science methods. As a result of scientific work in the specified field season, 2 burial mounds, 1 settlement and a complex of rock paintings were studied. In the course of comparative typological analysis, as well as radiocarbon 14C AMS dating, these two burials were attributed to the Bronze Age. The study of the dwelling located next to the burial ground showed that people lived in this area in different historical periods. As a result of exploration work in the gorge, 17 planes with images were identified, the bulk of which are also dated to the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. The set of images includes figures of mountain goats, horses and several camels, there are also anthropomorphic characters and scenes of hunting with a dog. The data obtained from the Ushbulak complex will make a great contribution to future studies of the material and spiritual culture of the region as a whole.
