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Description:
The Chu-Ili mountains are smooth undulations of
a maximum altitude 1,500 m in a semi-desertic landscape south-west
of Lake Balkhash. Their springs and oases represented a refuge
and a corridor for cultures from Neolithic to ethnographic times,
represented archaeologically by cemeteries, houses, stelae and,
most predominantly, petroglyphs. From the Middle Bronze to the
Turkic periods the area was a crossroads for tribal migrations
reflected in the character and range of petroglyphs, which now
represent the most important monuments of the area and are among
the most important rock art sites of Central Asia and Siberia.
Fieldwork will be directed by specialists from
the Institute of Geology (Academy of Sciences, KZ), and the NIPI
PMK (Ministry of Culture, KZ). The camp will be located in the
site of Kuljabasy, one of the main petroglyphs sites of Kazakhstan
located near Otar at 200 km west of Almaty. The objective of the
project is to continue the excavations of a Bronze Age settlement,
to proceed with the survey and record of the petroglyphs groups
and to map the monuments of the region.
Volunteers will be introduced to modern techniques
of preliminary geographical study using satellite, aerial photography
and detailed maps. Microlight flight will provide the possibility
of aerial exploration and photography. Documentation will be provided
by traditional and new advanced methods (GIS, digital-video).
The ecological features of the landscape (summer-winter camps,
march routes, etc.) will be studied. Tombs and villages will be
excavated to investigate any correlation between petroglyph styles
and cultural phases. The weather is extremely dry. Volunteers
should bring a sleeping bag, a mat, a sweater, some strong shoes,
and a flashlight. Further tours can be organised at the end of
the fieldwork.
Period(s) of occupation:
Bronze and Iron Ages
Minimum length of stay for volunteers:
2 weeks
Minimum age:
18 years old
Experience required:
Not required
Room and Board arrangements:
Camp in tents in the field site.
Cost: $250 per week
Academic credit:
Offered by: State Institute for Scientific Research and Planning
on the monuments of Material Culture, Min.Culture,Kaz (NIPI PMK)
Tuition: Included in the general fee
Bibliography:
Mariachev A. N. and Rogozhinskii A.E., Naskalnie izobrazheniya
v gorakh Eshkiolmes'. Alma-Ata, 1991.
Goriachev A. A. and Mariachev A. N., "Nouveaux
sites du Bronze recent au Semirechie KZ." Paleorient . 24(1).
1998 .
Report of C. Hopwood , "About the camp of
last year in Eshkeolmes." Archaeology Abroad Bulletin. London,
November, 2003.
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