Ozbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical UniversityArchaeologists found this set of gold earrings in the ancient grave as well as a number of other spectacular grave goods.
Long ago, looters came across a set of ancient burials in present-day Kazakhstan. They plundered two of them and took off with unknown treasures. But they didn’t notice a third grave nearby. Now, however, archaeologists have excavated it, and discovered the wealth of grave goods within.
They uncovered gold jewelry, a large bronze mirror, and other items that shed light on elite life in the little-known Kangju state, which ruled the region between the fifth century B.C.E. and the fourth century C.E.
The Wealth Of Objects Found In The Ancient Kangju Grave
Ozbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical UniversityThe grave is some 2,000 years old and is likely connected to the little-known Kangju state.
According to a translated statement from Ozbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University, the 2,000-year-old burial was discovered in Turkistan, Kazakhstan. Archaeologists found it stuffed with grave goods.
The grave included a pair of moon-shaped earrings decorated with blue amethyst and ruby from the first century B.C.E., a Roman fibula, which would have been used as a pin to fasten clothing, large and small beads to be worn on the hands, a shoe, a belt, a buckle, and arrowheads for hunting birds.
Remarkably, the archaeologists also uncovered a round bronze mirror that appeared to come from China during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E – 220 C.E.).
Ozbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical UniversityThe bronze mirror appears to have come from China’s Han dynasty, suggesting that the Kangju state had powerful trading partners.
These items reveal unique information about the mysterious Kangju state and the life of the woman buried in this grave thousands of years ago.
Life Inside The Mysterious Kangju State
According to the university statement, the items found in the grave suggest that the woman buried there must have been one of society’s elites.
“The bronze mirror found in the grave of a woman was highly valued and only rich and powerful people could use it,” the university statement explained. “Looking at the historical relic, it is possible to know that the deceased person held a high-ranking position.”
Ozbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical UniversityA close-up of the gold earrings found in the grave, one of the items that speaks to the power and wealth of the deceased.
She appeared to have lived during the time of the Kangju state, a mysterious ancient power that ruled the region between the fifth century B.C.E. and the fourth century C.E.
“Looking at the found artifacts, it is possible to know that the [Kangju state] was in contact with strong and powerful empires,” the university statement notes. “Rome, Byzantium, Kushan…[and] China had equal diplomatic relations with the [Kangju state].”
Thomas Lessman/Wikimedia CommonsThe rough location of the Kangju state, which existed between the fifth century B.C.E. and the fourth century C.E.
Kangju state, the university statement further explains, was located along the Silk Road. It was thus advantageously placed for trade between East and West.
As such, the discovery of this ancient grave — and the wealth of grave goods within — offers a tantalizing peak at a little-known civilization and one of its elites. For those who could afford it, like the woman buried here, life in the Kangju state offered a taste of cultures from around the ancient world.