Central Kazakhstan during the early Iron age

Today, the studies of culture of Central Kazakhstan of early Iron Age have considerably expanded the range of studied sources including both previously known materials and data from the latest researches. The funeral rites and subject complexes of the Saks epoch were studied based on nearly 200 burials. Not less than 50 settlements have been discovered, on some of which archaeological excavations have been already carried out, stone statues were also revealed for the first time. New data have been obtained as a result of paleoanthropological researches. These categories of cultural sites are considered within the frame of Tasmola culture (VIII-V centuries B.C.). Monuments of the Hun-Sarmatian period are less studied. In general, new materials show the ethno-cultural similarity of the region to the synchronous cultural formations of the eastern area of the steppe Eurasia. In the IV century B.C. on the eastern territory of Central Kazakhstan there was a change of cultures. Funeral ceremonies and monuments of Korgantas period (IV-II centuries B.C.) demonstrate the relationships with eastern regions of Central Asia. At present time 30 graves of that period are investigated. Anthropological data show that small groups of Korgantas period were not a result of direct migration; they were descendants of mixed population.