PETROGLYPHS TAMGALY near KARABASTAU

Tamgaly is a museum-reserve located in the Zhambyl region, in the southeastern part of the Chu-Ili mountains. It is located 180 kilometers away from Almaty city (if you drive to the north-west). In the immediate vicinity of the museum-reserve, there is Karabastau village.

Homonymous tract is extremely interesting for tourists. Here, you will find about 100 monuments representing different eras. For example, ancient tombs, petroglyphs and many other structures that can be considered to be cult ones. The time scatter is impressive. Some structures belong to the 14th-13th centuries BC, and some were built between the 19th-20th centuries. Therefore, this archaeological complex is believed to be a unique one. It preserves the history of many ancient and modern peoples of our country during three millennia.

The main object of this territory is the canyon. Its rocks have 5 groups with about 3 thousand petroglyphs. They were carved on the slopes looking in only one direction. In front of all the rocks, there is a place from where these ancient drawings are visible all at a time. At the same time, they are successively combined into intricate and complex compositions.

The Tamgaly gallery of petroglyphs is a kind of a story of ancient bronze tribal mythology. Many of the Tamgaly petroglyphs of the Bronze Age are unique part of the Central Asian rock art.

In addition, it was possible to identify a certain phenomenon. The pictorial range of these rock paintings has a certain idea. In other words, petroglyphs are arranged not randomly, but according to their own specific order. Why they were placed in such an order – is still a mystery.

Tourists can see the burial ground Karakuduk-II with their own eyes, which is located on the foothill plain. It was built approximately in 12-10 centuries BC. Here, both children and adults were buried in special stone crates. A little further in the central part, you can see the largest accumulation of petroglyphs divided into five groups. Scientists date the tomb Tamagly-Two to the period of the Late Bronze Age. The local main clove contains about two thousand pictures. Let’s look at each group separately.

The first Tamgaly group. It contains 111 different petroglyphs, which are either sketches (drafts) or unfinished cave paintings. There are also animal figures of huge sizes (up to 70 centimeters).

The second Tamgaly group. It is believed to be the most representative with its 432 pictures. It is special for the images dated back to the Bronze Age are crved carefully, clearly and deeply. The pictures look impressive. The local series of cave paintings fascinates tourists and forms the most expressive and ancient composition.

The third Tamgaly group. Here we see 444 petroglyphs from the Bronze Age. However, the majority has been restored in subsequent centuries. Many cave paintings are supplemented with petroglyphs of the Saks era and the Middle Ages. The most convenient way to look at the pictures is as if from a gallery (that is, from the opposite side).

The fourth Tamgaly group. It is here that petroglyphs form the semantic center of the sanctuary. You can see about 700 petroglyphs. Of course, the majority of the pictures are rather pale and probably date back to the early Iron period, the Middle Ages and the 17-19 centuries. A unique panel dated back to the Bronze Age is especially precious. It demonstrates 7 divine characters of the ancient pagan cult in a certain order. And below them, there is a dozen warriors dancing for a battle and people with their hands raised for a prayer.

The fifth Tamgaly group. The most numerous group, consisting of more than 1 thousand images from various eras. Large-scale panels are dated back to the Bronze, with pictures of various striped animals – bulls, wild boars, horses, etc. Here, you can see images of chariots harnessed by camels, as well as mythical images of the “cudgel-warriors” and “sunheads”. As many as eleven drawings of deities were discovered on a rocky surface. But they are identical to the images from the fourth group (described above).

Among various petroglyphs, you can see the figures of people, animals, as well as some mysterious signs. But there are no complex and ornate images. Most often you can see unpretentious archer hunting scenes for goats, bulls, and deer.

Other images, tell tourists fill-fledged stories. From primitive solitary drawings of horses, bulls, deer, goats, wild boars, – to complex compositions with the “sun-headed” deities, mummer and the “cudgel-warrior”. The foot-shaped signs. As well as multi-figure hunting scenes.

It should be noted that the World Heritage Committee decided to include local petroglyphs to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was made at one of the regular sessions, which was held in China (Suzhu city). This significant for the culture of Kazakhstan event took place in summer 2004. By the way, a remarkable fact: from now, Tamagly is the very first monument of cave art not only in the country, but throughout Central Asia as well, which is included in the famous UNESCO list.

You can visit petroglyphs at any time of the year. However, the conditions are changing in the area. For example, in May and June it is advisable to take an anti-ticks repellent. And in summer, you should be especially careful. Poisonous creatures (snakes and spiders) are found in this region. And don’t forget about warm clothes.