Boralday (archaeological site)


Boralday is a kurgan necropolis in Almaty, Kazakhstan, dating to the early Iron Age and associated with the Saka people. Located on the southeastern outskirts of the village of Boralday, the site comprises 47 burial mounds spread over 430 hectares on the left bank of the Bolshaya Almatinka River.
The site was discovered in 1990 and was declared a protected monument in 2010. There are plans to turn the site into a museum.

Necropolis

The necropolis comprises 430 hectares, and includes 47 mounds of the Saka period from the 5th to the 3rd centuries BC. The necropolis is located in chains in the South-North and South-West-North-East. The burial ground is 3 km long and 800 meters wide. The height of the largest mound, which is located in the center of the necropolis, is 14 meters, and the diameter is 100 meters. There are also several mounds with a height of 5-6 meters and a diameter of 60-80 meters. Medium-sized mounds have a height of 3 meters and a diameter of 30-40 meters, and the small one have a height of 1-1,5 meters and a diameter of 10-20 meters. The dry climate conditions in the area have preserved and mummified remains, including human remains, clothing, and various objects. A burial area for horses has also been found.
The Tsar and his mother were found in the biggest burial mound. Researchers believe that the various burial mounds had multiple functions, including astronomical purposes and calendar ceremonies.