Ancient Gold of Kazakhstan - Golden Man of Saka

Ancient burial mounds built by the Saka people of central Asia contained unfathomable gold riches. The Saka flourished from around the eighth century BC to the third century BC.

A discovery from the Yeleke Sazy burial mound in 2018 was male and about 18, dressed in gold. The finds date to the 7th or 8th century BC. Rockfall shielded his grave from looters for 2,500 years. The “golden man” was found in one of the burial mounds of the Eleke Sazy cemetery. His was only the second intact Saka burial to be discovered in Kazakhstan. The Saka people were feared warriors but were also skilled artisans who crafted gold and metal.

Archaeologists found the remains along with gold-embroidered armour and other precious artefacts during a dig. The garments and boots of the young man were embroidered with gold beads. There was a 1 kg gold torc on his neck.

The finds are from the Tarbagatai district, East Kazakhstan.

He had a golden dagger and a golden quiver.

The gold jewelry and items bear evidence of cutting-edge technology. People of that time had developed metallurgical expertise; mining, ore concentration, and smelting.

Discovered in the burial of Alike Sazy were arrow tips made of bronze. The artifacts are extremely well preserved and still remain sharp. The arrows were likely used for ritual purposes or as grave goods as they would be extremely valuable.

Grave of princess of Ukok