Barrows of Tasmola
The Barrows 'of Tasmola' are dispersed throughout central Kazakhstan in the Karaganda, Akmola, and Pavlodar regions.
Site description
Originating in the Saka period, the various barrows of the Tasmola culture can be found throughout the valleys of central Kazakhstan. The sites are characterized by stone complexes with up to four stone barrows, menhirs, and two curved ranges that can each stretch 50 to 200 m long. The ranges appear to line up in accordance to equinoctial, solstitial or midsummer sunrise points. Archaeological finds in the barrows themselves can include pottery, horse skeletons, and fire pit remains. Over 300 of such barrows have been identified in Kazakhstan, of which only a small number have been archaeologically excavated.The last characteristic Tasmola kurgans seem to date to the 5th–4th century BCE.