Archaeologists in Kazakhstan have uncovered a rare 2,500-year-old sword in the tomb of a Saka warrior, offering new insight into the weaponry and burial customs of one of Central Asia’s most powerful nomadic cultures.
The discovery was made by a team from the Karaganda Regional History Museum during excavations at the Karabiye burial ground in the Aktogay district. The burial dates to the 7th–6th centuries BC, during the early Saka period, when nomadic Eastern Iranian peoples known as the Saka roamed the vast Eurasian Steppe and the Tarim Basin.
Burial mound reveals warrior’s grave goods
The tomb was constructed within a circular earthen mound topped with stone slabs. Beneath this layer, archaeologists uncovered the skeletal remains of a warrior along with a double-bladed akinaka sword, five arrows, and an iron earring wrapped in thin gold foil.
The burial mound, preserved in near-original form, provides a rare opportunity to study Saka funerary traditions as they were practiced more than two millennia ago.
Finely crafted sword reflects Saka artistry
Experts describe the weapon as a finely crafted akinaka—a short, double-edged sword typical of early Saka warriors. The blade, cast in a single piece, features detailed carvings of argali (wild sheep) horns and birds of prey, symbols often associated with strength and divine protection in Saka art.
Researchers say the craftsmanship reflects a high level of metallurgical skill and aesthetic sophistication among the ancient nomads.
Team leader highlights rare preservation
“The expedition lasted a month,” said Dauren Zhusupov, head of the Karaganda Regional History Museum’s archaeological team. “We expected to find typical remains from the Saka period, but the fact that the burial mound has been preserved in its original form is extremely rare. This provides an opportunity to see the burial rite as it was performed over two thousand years ago.”
Analyses underway to confirm age and origin
The artefacts have been sent for metallographic, radiocarbon, and anthropological analysis to determine their exact age and cultural significance. Researchers hope the results will clarify the warrior’s social status and shed light on regional variations in Saka burial customs.
Region rich in Saka-era discoveries
Central Kazakhstan has recently emerged as a key region for Saka-era archaeology. In 2023, a bronze akinaka with a butterfly-shaped cross guard was found in the Karkaraly district. A year later, in 2024, archaeologists unearthed an iron sword with a blood-drainage groove at the Taldinsky Historical and Archaeological Park.
The latest discovery of the ornately designed akinaka at Karabiye stands out for its preservation and artistry. Researchers say it provides an exceptional glimpse into the technological and cultural sophistication of the Saka people—an enduring symbol of their warrior legacy across the Eurasian Steppe.
Altyn Adam: The Golden Man
In Kazakhstan near Almaty, there are several burial mounds of individuals of Saka ancestry. The Sakas were a group of nomadic Eastern Iranian peoples who historically inhabited the northern and eastern Eurasian Steppe and were closely related to the Scythians. Both groups formed part of the wider Scythian cultures.
It was in the year 1969 that Kazakh archaeologist Kemal Akishev found a young Saka king, who was about seventeen to eighteen years old, in one of the Kurgans. The king was dressed in attire covered with thousands of gold pieces.
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