Abstract:
Purpose. The article describes the history and analysis of the main issues in the study of archaeological sites of the
Saka period in Semirechye. They are presented by three main types on this territory: burial and memorial complexes,
settlements and hoards. The first type of monuments includes numerous burial mounds, where the elite burials of
“royal” type and ordinary burials are located. Both social groups are combined by the unity of funeral rites, and the
main differences are the complexity of architecture, memorial practices, and richness of burial equipment in the “royal” type burial mounds. The second category of monuments is presented by the settlements that are mostly small in
size. The constructions like half dugouts were discovered on them, which gave a rich ceramic material. The third type
of monuments of the Saka period in Semirechye includes numerous hoards of bronze items. Some of them are represented by the cult objects (sacrificial tables, lamps and cauldrons) that mark the places of worship. A significant percentage of the hoards contain items of weapons, horse equipment and household purposes and, apparently, serve as
offerings to the spirits. However, despite the considerable progress in the study of the Saka monuments of the
Semirechye Region, the main problem is their cultural attribution at this time. Some researchers suggest that
the independent Saka archaeological culture was formed and developed on the territory of Semirechye in the Early
Iron Age, while others believe that the Saka monuments of this region belong to the broader historical and cultural
community that also covers the neighboring regions of Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang.
Results Another important issue in the study of the Saka sites of Semirechye is to clarify the chronology of burial and
memorial complexes. Up to now, the significant database of radiocarbon dates has been accumulated, which allows us
to consider the chronological positions of a wide range of monuments in a new way. It was of great importance to
obtain such dates from several burials of Karatuma necropolis, which showed that it belonged to the Saka period,
since burial monuments of this appearance are traditionally dated back to the Wusun period.
Conclusion. The necessity of solution of these problems is an urgent task for further research of burial and settlement
objects of the Saka period in this region.
