Stone carvings in Tamgaly archaeological area

The United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization has recognized Petroglyphs in the Tamgaly archaeological site of Kazakhstan as a World Cultural Heritage in 2004.

Stone carvings in the archaeological area of ​​Tamgaly, Kazakhstan

Tamgaly is an archaeological site in the Semirechye area of ​​Kazakhstan. Tamgaly is located about 120 km northwest of Almaty. Much of the artifacts found in this archaeological site are petroglyphs dating back to the 2nd century BC. These petroglyphs are mostly hidden deep in the canyon. According to archaeologists, they appeared in the Bronze Age , but a few paintings are thought to be from the Iron Age and the Middle Ages .

It is estimated that there are 5,000 small and large stone carvings scattered in 120 km of Semirechye rocky mountains. Archaeologists have divided into 48 different areas based on geography and density of stone carvings. Prehistoric settlements were also explored and identified through these petroglyphs. There are many pictures of the life of prehistoric people recreated in stone carvings but the drawings are very primitive. The main theme of pictures is pictures of cattle, animals, rituals and a few images of religion. Scientists believe that religious images appear last because of the more sophisticated and sharp strokes of animal paintings from BC.

Animal-shaped stone carvings are said to be the oldest dating paintings to appear in the area

The west side of the Tienshan mountain range in the archaeological area is a place with extremely rich vegetation. Although it suffers from a hot, dry climate, it is here to develop plants adapted to this dry environment. The mountains along with the vegetation here form a beautiful natural landscape. Not only that, the attraction of the landscape also attracts the number of prehistoric people who settled here more than other areas. Perhaps it is because of these reasons that there are more stone carvings than other areas in the archaeological site.

Archaeologists also found here large, black, flat stones . these large rocks are believed to be the place used as the sacred sacrificial altars of prehistoric inhabitants here. Some of the character-carved stone carvings found around sacrificial altars proved even more so that worship was practiced quite a lot. The sacrifice of the pre-BC period was mainly the sacred gods according to the beliefs of the local people.

The earliest petroglyphs that are supposed to appear are mainly images of animals, wild animals such as deer, deer, tigers, elephants and so on. the characters and finally images of daily life, religious rituals and beliefs.

So far, archaeologists and historians have not yet determined how prehistoric residents created these petroglyphs especially those that appeared before BC Bronze and iron.

The strong and deep carvings of the stone have spent thousands of years under the impact of the climate and the environment, but still very intact, demonstrating the great stone carving technique of the ancients.

By studying and studying these petroglyphs, scientists can clearly define the life of local inhabitants before BC and the gradual development of each period of bronze and iron.Prayer rites of prehistoric people were also made clear by studying stone carvings at the cover. Currently, this area is strictly protected not only because it is a recognized world heritage but also because it is a sacred place in history .

Stone carvings in Tamgaly archaeological area are recognized by the Unesco Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization as a world cultural heritage according to criteria (iii): It is a dense area of ​​stone carvings. There is an era from the 2nd century BC. Besides, the study and study of stone carvings here also help historians sketch out the life of indigenous inhabitants thousands of years ago. In addition, this is also a sacred place with extremely important cultural value.