The Taksay-1 Kurgan Complex is located on the territory of the Terekty district of the West Kazakhstan Region and consists of six kurgans. In 2012, an archaeological team from the West Kazakhstan Local History Museum, led by Dr. Yana Lukpanova, discovered and excavated a unique elite burial of a woman from a privileged stratum of the early nomadic society, the Sarmatians, dating back to the 5th century BCE.
The woman's funeral attire was decorated with gold sewn-on plaques; careful recording of their location made it possible to recreate an approximate costume of the deceased woman. More than 100 pieces of gold jewellery were unearthed from the burial.
Four types of gold plaques were sewn onto the upper part of her costume: different geometric shapes with images of griffin-rams, rams, griffins, and swastika-shaped plaques. Notably, swastika-shaped plaques were the main decoration on the woman's clothes and adorned her chest, shoulders, and back. The sleeves of the dress were embellished with gold-framed wolf fangs pendants. The woman was wearing a cone-shaped, high headdress.
In addition to gold jewellery, the team unearthed a richly decorated bronze mirror and amulets, all of which are indispensable attributes of Sarmatian priestesses. The discovered artifacts include items of both local and imported origin. Two headless maids were buried with the Taksay priestess, indicating her high status.
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The talk is in Russian with simultaneous translation into English.
