Shilikty South Rock Overhang Kurgan (Shilikty Southern Granite Overhang Field)
South Shilikty Overhang · Shilikty Granite Spur Kurgans
Early Saka Shilikty southern overhang (650–580 BCE)·Saka southern Shilikty granite spur·🇰🇿 East Kazakhstan Region, Zaisan District, Shilikty south granite overhang terrace, Tarbagatai spur (southern valley flank), Kazakhstan
About
About Shilikty South Rock Overhang Kurgan (Shilikty Southern Granite Overhang Field)
8 m high built beneath 12 m granite roof overhang — rock-shelter kurgans unique adaptation. 8 m high beneath overhang roof; 18 Saka arrowheads + gilded mirror 18 cm inside overhang dripline preserving felt. Overhang provides natural roof equivalent to Besshatyr log house — granite ceiling instead of larch. Dated 610 BCE. 2 km. Horse sacrifice omitted (rock floor).
Why it mattersOnly rock-shelter kurgans globally — granite overhang replaces log house, southern pass control variant.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mirror 18 cm under overhang vs open valley conservation
Theories
- 01Rock-shelter as cheaper labout vs larch import on granite spur
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.650 – 580 BCE (610 BCE)
- Period
- Early Saka Shilikty southern overhang (650–580 BCE)
- Culture
- Saka southern Shilikty granite spur
- Builders
- South granite overhang builders — rock-shelter adaptation
- Purpose
- Granite overhang rock-shelter royal adaptation — natural roof as log house substitute controlling southern Tarbagatai pass 1.2 km
- Abandoned
- c.500 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 2015 south granite overhang SOH-02 35 m excavation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
610 BCE
SOH-02 granite spall 35 m mirror 18 cm
2015
South overhang terrace 3 kurgans mapped
On the ground
Structures & features
47.3200° N · 82.2500° E · 1350 m · 2 mapped features
Mound SOH-02 Spall Mound (35 m × 5.8 m)
tumulus35 m granite spall beneath 12 m overhang with mirror 18 cm
47.3210° N · 82.2510° EGranite Overhang Roof (12 m high)
structure12-m natural granite roof forming chamber ceiling
47.3220° N · 82.2520° E