Petroglyphs of Arpa-Uzen, Petroglyphic site in Turkistan Region, Kazakhstan
The Petroglyphs of Arpa-Uzen are rock carvings scattered across the Karatau mountains in southern Kazakhstan, depicting scenes from ancient peoples who lived in this region. Thousands of individual engravings appear on different rock faces, created by human hands over many centuries.
The carvings were created over multiple periods, beginning in the Late Bronze Age and continuing through the Iron Age, with later peoples adding their own images on top of older works. This layering shows how different cultures used the same sacred spaces across generations.
The rock carvings depict everyday scenes of herding, hunting, and human figures engaged in rituals and labor, revealing how ancient communities organized their lives in these mountains. Looking at these images, you can sense the connection between the people and the animals they depended on for survival.
The site sits in mountainous terrain, so come prepared with sturdy shoes and appropriate gear to explore the different rock formations. Take time to look closely at individual carvings, since their details only become clear when you examine them carefully.
Some of the oldest carvings show animal figures that were later directly redrawn by different peoples, so you can see multiple artistic hands working on the same rock face. These overlapping images reveal how certain locations held sacred meaning for many different cultures across thousands of years.
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