Berel kurgan

Berel kurgan is an archaeological site in the Katonkaragay District in eastern Kazakhstan. The site is located near the village of Berel. At this site, numerous 5th-3rd century BCE Early Saka kurgans were found.

The excavations have revealed artefacts the sophistication of which are encouraging a revaluation of the nomadic cultures of the 5th to 3rd centuries BCE. The Kurgans contained vast quantities of precious golden jewelry.

Horses were buried in the kurgans next to their owner, and were lavishly decorated.

• Griffins burial mound Berel (5th-3rd centuries BCE) Kazakhstan.JPG
• Catlike predator with protomas of two elk burial mound Berel (IV.-III. B.C.) Kazakhstan.
• Scene of torment burial mound Berel (5-3rd centuries BCE) Kazakhstan.
• Deer in Griffin's beak, burial mound Berel (4-3rd centuries BCE) Kazakstan.
• Tigergriffin arthor work based on Scytian- saka animal style burial mound Berel (5-3rd centuries BCE) Kazakstan.
• Decorated horse from the Berel kurgan (reconstruction).
• Griffin-Shaped Coffin Nail (replica), 4th-3rd century BCE. Gilt Bronze. Berel Kugan, East Kazakhstan. National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.