Geophysical prospection on the ancient tombs of Katartobe burial ground in Kazakhstan

Purpose. In 2015-2017, geophysical prospection (GPR survey and aerial photography) was conducted on Saka tombs of Katartobe burial ground in southeastern Kazakhstan. Modern methods of studying mounds supported new information to reconstruct tomb characteristics and supplement archaeological research of ancient nomads in Kazakhstan. Results. A GPR survey was carried out with mound and near-burial space at 27 tombs. On the radargrams, round, square, and oval shaped mounds covered with stones was traced. The centre of the mounds gave a weak reading, presumed to be the result of a wooden outer coffin. The boundary stones surrounding the mounds appear to be in two rows with disconnected sections on the east and west central sides. Occasionally, the role of the boundary stones was executed by a ditch enclosure. All the burial sites were damaged by robbers. Archaeological work as a whole confirmed the results of geophysical studies. Meanwhile, the GPR’s low wavelength depth is less effective to reveal inner structures of the large mounds. Aerial photography and photogrammetry methods compose an estimation model of all of Katartobe. This supplemented the accurate information regarding the amount of tombs on the site, due to the confirmed existence of eight additional mounds. It also provides data on the size and volume of each mound. According to the photo topographic analysis, ten small tombs of the Wusun period, represented by circular mounds were detected close to the big mounds. Conclusion. The results of geophysical prospection showed information about construction of mounds covered by stone and boundary stone around mounds. It also offered information about new mounds not detected by traditional archaeological methods. GPR survey and aerial photography provides a new method to be an important part for archaeological studies of ancient culture.