Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a major Bronze Age settlement on the Kazakh Steppe region, shedding new light on a key phase of Central Asian prehistory.
The discovery reveals a regional centre for large-scale bronze production more than 3,500 years ago.
The findings come from the first in-depth investigation of a site named Semiyarka, following its initial discovery in the early 2000s by researchers from Toraighyrov University in Kazakhstan.
The research is an international collaboration between our Department of Archaeology, University College London (UCL) and Toraighyrov University.
It presents the first detailed survey of Semiyarka – a vast 140-hectare planned settlement dating to around 1600 BC, and the largest known site of its kind in the region.
Excavations revealed rows of rectangular earthen mounds which once formed the foundations of multi-room homes.
At the site’s heart was a much larger building which may have served as a communal or ceremonial space.
On the southeastern edge of the settlement, the team discovered a likely industrial zone containing a larger concentration of crucibles, slag and bronze artefacts.
These finds represent the first firm evidence of large-scale tin-bronze production in the Eurasian steppe.
The discovery suggests a highly organised and possibly centralised metalworking industry.
At this time mobile communities were common across the steppe, but evidence for permanent and organised settlements is extremely rare.
Professor Dan Lawrence of our Department of Archaeology said: “The scale and structure of Semiyarka are unlike anything else we’ve seen in the steppe zone.
“The rectilinear compounds and the potentially monumental building show that Bronze Age communities here were developing sophisticated, planned settlements similar to those of their contemporaries in more traditionally ‘urban’ parts of the ancient world.”
Semiyarka sits on a promontory above the Irtysh River in northeastern Kazakhstan.
Its name means ‘Seven Ravines’, taken from the network of valleys it overlooks
Its position near copper and tin deposits in the Altai Mountains made it well-placed for bronze production and for trade across the steppe.
The size and location of the settlement would have allowed it to act as a key hub of exchange and regional power.
Research lead author, Dr Miljana Radivojević of UCL Archaeology, said: “This is one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in this region for decades.
“Semiyarka changes the way we think about steppe societies.
“It shows that mobile communities could build and sustain permanent, organised settlements centred on a likely large-scale industry - a true ’urban hub’ of the steppe.”
The findings are published in the journal Antiquity Project Gallery.
The research was funded by the British Academy, the Kazakh Ministry for Science and Higher Education, and the ERC/UKRI-funded DREAM Project.
Main image shows an aerial view of Semiyarka, flanked on either side by bronze axe heads discovered at the site.
The research team discussing results in the field. Image credit: Peter J Brown
A selection of artefacts uncovered at the Semiyarka site.
An object uncovered at the Semiyarka site
The Semiyarka site in the Kazakh Steppe region.
Dr Miljana Radivojević of UCL Archaeology with Professor Dan Lawrence of our Department of Archaeology at the Semiyarka site. Image credit: Peter J Brown
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