Saimaluu-Tash, Ancient petroglyph site in Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan.
Saimaluu-Tash is an archaeological site at 3,200 meters elevation in the Ferghana Range containing over 10,000 petroglyphs carved into rock faces across two high valleys separated by a mountain ridge. The engravings are scattered throughout the terrain and can be explored on foot along established trails through the highland landscape.
The rock carvings were created between 2000 BCE and the Middle Ages, documenting human creativity across a very long time span. Russian cartographers discovered the site in 1902 during a mapping expedition, which prompted the first scientific investigations.
The rock carvings depict hunting expeditions, ritual dances, and sun-headed figures that reveal early religious beliefs of the people who lived in this region. Visitors can directly experience the spiritual world and daily activities of ancient cultures through these rock faces.
Reaching this location requires a four-wheel drive vehicle departing from Kazarman village, then a demanding hike across mountainous terrain at high altitude. Visitors should prepare for variable weather, rough mountain paths, and full-day excursions.
The collection features anthropomorphic figures with radiating or illuminated heads that have drawn special scholarly attention in archaeological research. The carvings also show the cultural shift from using oxen-drawn vehicles to horseback riding during the Bronze Age.
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