Saka Gold

In 2019 archaeologists found more than 500 artefacts made of gold, bronze and iron, believed to be from the 8th century BC, during excavations in the Yeleke Sazy burial sites in the Tarbagatai district in East Kazakhstan. The hoard was found at a depth of 1.5 metres in the niche of the ruined chamber of the largest kurgan, known as the Patsha mound. It was fused into a single lump in the remains of a leather bag apparently hidden in the stones by an ancient looter. The agglomeration was cleaned by a restorer and unique gold cast figures of leopards, griffins, as well as bracelets and other jewellery items were found. Among other findings were small sized nuggets and ingots made of gold of high purity, which were used by ancient goldsmiths for the manufacture of sheet gold.

The findings from the Patsha mound are believed to belong to the elites of early Saka society. Over 50 ancient burial sites are in the Yeleke Sazy area, though virtually all were looted in ancient times.