Kazakh warrior Kurgan discovers unique sword –

A rare complete tomb of a Saka warrior has been discovered in the Karaganda region of central Kazakhstan. Dating to the 7th to 6th centuries BC, it contains important grave goods, including the undisturbed skeletal remains of an adult male, the most famous of which is an elaborate double-edged sword unique to the region.

Archaeologists from the Karaganda Regional Historical Museum excavated a warrior tomb in the Karabi cemetery in Aktogai district. They expected to find damaged tombs that had been looted in ancient times, as happened in 90 percent of Saka tombs, but when they excavated Kurgan 1, the team found that the stone ceiling at the top of the mound was still intact. When they removed the slabs, they found that neither the contents of the tomb nor the people inside had been touched. An articulated male skeleton was found lying on his back with his head facing northwest. In his right hand he holds a double-edged bronze Akinak sword. Placed next to his left foot are five bronze arrowheads similar to those found in the tomb of the iconic “Golden Man” discovered in southeastern Kazakhstan in 1969 (although less lavish). Near his skull is a delicate gold earring, made of an iron base covered with the thinnest gold leaf.

Akinak is the first sneaker in Kazakhstan with this form and design. It is 30 cm (12 inches) long, with the handle and all parts cast in one piece and has visible reinforcements. It is very intricately decorated, with the spiral horns of the Karaganda argali (wild sheep) on the guard of the handle and two large-beaked bird heads representing the steppe eagle and the golden eagle on the handle. This proves the superb metalworking skills and artistic level of Saka craftsmen.

The Saka people were a nomadic people from eastern Iran who lived in the Eurasian steppes from the 9th century BC to the 5th century AD. They were related to the Scythians of the western steppes, and their territory was the most extensive, covering all of today’s Kazakhstan.

The items in the tomb will now undergo scientific analysis, including metal composition, radiocarbon dating and osteological examination, to establish the age and origin of the items and the deceased. The composition of bronze is of particular interest because central Kazakhstan is known to contain large deposits of copper.