Astana (TDI): Archaeologists in Kazakhstan may have discovered the ruins of a long-lost medieval city previously known only from historical texts.
The discovery was announced by Executive Director of the Petroglyph Hunters Foundation Olga Gumirova.
According to Gumirova, the site could rival the archaeological significance of Talkhiz and Koylyk, two well-documented settlements that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
“We may have finally found the city historians have long speculated about,” she said in a statement.
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“What started as visible brickwork in a quarry led us to an ancient tower and sections of a wall. Bricks from the medieval period were visible just beneath the surface. Evidence suggests the city was destroyed by fire during the Mongol invasion.”
Talkhiz, located in today’s Almaty region, was a major center of commerce in the 8th century. Koylyk flourished between the 8th and 14th centuries and is similarly revered for its historical significance.
The newly discovered site in Zhetysu may soon join their ranks, pending formal excavation and study.
In a separate find, researchers from the Saryarka Archaeological Institute reported 25 previously undocumented historical sites in Karaganda’s Shet district.
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These include necropolises, burial grounds, and complex settlements spanning from the Bronze Age to medieval times.
“We’ve only just begun our work, but the scope of what we’ve found is already clear,” said Alexei Kukushkin, the institute’s director. Full excavation is on hold until further permits are granted.
