Issyk Kurgan

The Issyk kurgan is a burial mound in south-eastern Kazakhstan, discovered in 1969 near the village of Issyk, less than 20 km east of the Talgar alluvial fan[1]. The mound stands 6 meters tall with a circumference of 60 meters and dates to the 4th or 3rd century BC[1]. Its most notable find is a silver cup bearing the Issyk inscription, considered the earliest known example of Saka writing[1]. The excavated artifacts are displayed in Astana[1]. The burial complex is associated with the Saka peoples and provides important insights into their culture[1].