Tamgaly Petroglyphs in Kazakhstan

Rock Art in Tamgaly

• Prehistoric people represented their world and beliefs through visual images carved or painted on cave walls and rocks.
• The Tamgaly petroglyphs in south-east Kazakhstan are incredibly beautiful and unmatched in variety and beauty worldwide.
• The rock carvings were discovered in 1957 during an archaeological expedition in the Chu-Ili mountains organized by the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences.

Characteristics of Tamgaly Petroglyphs

• More than 5,000 petroglyphs were found in the area around Tamgaly Gorge, mostly on the eastern slopes.
• The earliest petroglyphs date back to the 14th century BC, making them over 3,000 years old!
• Many carvings are large (25 to 75 cm) and visible from a distance.
• Artists used stone and metal tools to create these unique works of art.

Representation of Animals and Symbols

• Most of the oldest carvings depict animals, with few images of people.
• The bull was a symbol of power for people in the Bronze Age.
• During the Iron Age, equestrian tribes settled in the area, replacing some bull carvings with horse images.
• Other petroglyphs show deer, camels, wolves, wild asses, mountain goats, wild boar, and a few birds.

Historical Significance

• The Tamgaly petroglyphs are special because they span different historical periods, from the Bronze Age and Iron Age to the Middle Ages.

Explore the fascinating world of prehistoric rock art at the Tamgaly petroglyphs site in Kazakhstan. Learn about the beautiful and diverse rock carvings discovered in the Chu-Ili mountains during an archaeological expedition in 1957.