“Gold of the sarmatians” a unique traveling exhibition within the framework of the international symposium
On 17 November 2025, as part of the international symposium “Sarayshyk — Crossroads of East and West: History and Culture of the Great Steppe”, a traveling exhibition titled “Gold of the Sarmatians” was organized at the “Saltanat Saraiy” ceremonial hall, featuring artifacts from the collection of the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore. The exhibition presented unique archaeological artifacts discovered during the 2023–2024 excavations of the kurgans Karabau-2, Karakuduk-1, and Karakuduk-2, located near the village of Karabau in the Kyzylkoga district of Atyrau Region.
The artifacts on display vividly illustrate the level of civilization of the Sarmatian tribes that inhabited the Atyrau region in early historical periods, demonstrating the high development of their nomadic craftsmanship, military culture, and religious-ritual traditions. The items date back to the 5th–4th centuries BCE.
The exhibition featured:
• a golden buckle depicting two tigers and two argali;
• a golden bracelet with figures of snow leopards on both ends;
• a touchstone with a gold handle;
• gold umbo;
• golden appliqués in the animal style;
• single-coil golden necklaces, bracelets, and earrings;
• sun- and crescent-shaped pendant earrings;
• appliqués for wooden vessels, crafted in the animal style and other valuable artifacts.
The exhibition provided symposium guests with a deeper opportunity to explore the rich and significant heritage of Sarmatian culture and to better appreciate its historical and cultural uniqueness.
