Ancient 2,000-year-old temple under study in Turkistan region

Ancient 2,000-year-old temple under study in Turkistan region
Photo credit: press service of the akimat of Turkistan region

Archaeologists, led by Doctor of Science and Professor A.N. Podushkin, conducted excavations in the historical and cultural zone of “Kyzylkol” in the village of Kyzylkol in the Sozak district. This area contains significant archaeological sites, including the settlement of Aktobe and the temple of Shoshaktobe, reports Kazinform News Agency, citing the regional akimat’s press service.

Ancient 2,000-year-old temple under study in Turkistan region
Photo credit: press service of the akimat of Turkistan region

This year, in addition to staff from the university’s archaeological center, specialists from the National Historical and Cultural Reserve “Ordabasy” and the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan participated in the research.

Ancient 2,000-year-old temple under study in Turkistan region
Photo credit: press service of the akimat of Turkistan region

The temple has a conical shape and constructed from Neogene red clay, with a foundation measuring 200-240 meters in diameter and a height of 18-20 meters. A stylobate sits at the top of the structure. Inside, over a thousand pottery fragments and tools were discovered, suggesting that religious rituals took place there. During the 2022-2024 excavations, approximately one-third of the monument was unearthed, revealing separate rooms containing hearths.

Ancient 2,000-year-old temple under study in Turkistan region
Photo credit: press service of the akimat of the Turkistan region

It was previously reported that excavations were being conducted at the Silbelitobe cemetery in the Tolebi district of the Turkistan region, in collaboration with the N.P. Podushkin Archaeological Center and the Ordabasy National Historical and Cultural Reserve. The head of the archaeological expedition, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor A.N. Podushkin, is conducting research on monuments dating back to the Kanly period.

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