Results of the archaeological excavations at the Kyok-Tash mausoleum in the 2017–2018 field season in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

The paper presents the main results of the archaeological excavations at the Kyok-Tash mausoleum carried out in 2017-2018 field season in Kochkor valley, Kyrgyzstan. The researches were realized within the framework of the joint project of the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TiKA). As the result of the conducted works first known two-chamber, underground mausoleum in the territory of Kyrgyzstan was uncovered. For its layout, building materials, form of its squinches and arches, the mausoleum is analogous to the architectural structures of the Karakhanids period in Central Asia. However, some artifacts (ceramic table, coin etc.) and results of the radiocarbon analysis of the samples from the mausoleum have given a later date — second half of the XIII century. Skeletons and several bones from three people were found during the excavations, which were not preserved in their original position. The human skeletons and bones indicate that the mausoleum is a family tomb, where a husband, wife and their child were buried. However, valid inferences on this issue will be made after a radiocarbon and DNA analysis of the bone samples from the site.