Pazırık Barrows

Pazırık Kurgans are monumental burial structures left by nomadic groups who lived in the Altai Mountains and surrounding regions during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, known in archaeological literature as the Pazırık culture.

The kurgans are located today in the eastern part of the Upper Altai region within the Gorno-Altai Region of the Russian Federation, near the border with Tuva, around the Big Ulagan Valley. To date, more than 600 kurgans have been identified across over 135 burial sites.

Internal Layout of the Kurgans (Mazhar Narşap)

The area where the kurgans are located experiences low annual temperature fluctuations and long, harsh winters. The thin snow cover and low temperatures caused water seeping into the kurgans to freeze, preserving organic materials in the exact condition they were in at the time of burial. Architectural and burial traditions show cultural continuity with Proto-Turkic and early Turkic peoples and exhibit strong connections to the Scythian world.

Artifacts recovered from the Pazırık kurgans are currently exhibited at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Discovery and Research

The first surface survey of the region was conducted by Messerschmidt in 1722. The first scientific excavations, carried out by S. I. Rudenko in 1924, revealed the Pazırık culture and were later accelerated by the excavations of M. Gryaznov. The finds from these excavations showed typological similarities with Scythian kurgans north of the Black Sea; due to weapons, horse harnesses and animal-style artworks, the culture was classified as part of the Scythian/Saka world.

In 2005, international projects in the Bayan-Ölgii region of Mongolia (led by Molodin, Törbat, Parzinger and others) identified numerous new Pazırık kurgans, with excavations at the Baga Türgen Gol site standing out.

Appearance of the Kurgans Before Excavation (Mazhar Narşap)

Architectural Features

Pazırık Kurgans are typically aligned north-south in a chain-like arrangement. They were generally constructed on sacred sites such as mountain slopes, highland pastures and riverbanks. The kurgans form monumental burial complexes consisting of stone mounds, circular stone fences or shallow ditches surrounding them, altars on the west and rows of balbals on the east.

Chambers were entirely constructed of wood, with carpets hung on the walls and the deceased placed inside along with their belongings. Chambers were typically built at the bottom of the burial pit; horses were buried just outside but adjacent to the chamber.

Main Pazırık Kurgans

First Pazırık Kurgan

A large kurgan dated to the 4th–3rd centuries BCE, excavated in the Pazırık burial ground of the Altai Mountains and one of the most famous examples of the Pazırık culture. The chamber contains both human and horse burials.

This kurgan was excavated in 1929 by Russian archaeologist S. I. Rudenko and gained fame as one of the world’s best-preserved frozen tombs. Due to the chamber being encased in permafrost, wooden, felt, leather and textile artifacts have been exceptionally preserved.^【1】 

Architectural Features

• The kurgan consists of a rectangular burial chamber built from wooden logs beneath a mound of stone and earth.
• The burial chamber was sealed with logs, supported by side posts and covered with a thick layer of stone.

Deer-Horned Horse Mask from the First Pazırık Kurgan (Yunus Ekim)

Artifacts

• Horse burials: A group of horse skeletons, accompanied by harnesses, were found in the north of the chamber. The finds also include horse harnesses, wooden saddles, deer-horned horse masks, leather saddle covers, wooden and leather shields, animal-themed decorations, gold-inlaid bridle parts and felt carpet fragments.
• Burial offerings: Gold and silver ornaments, carved wooden objects, metal decorations in animal style, felt and textile samples. Artifacts such as a wooden human-faced bridle piece and a necklace with griffin motifs were also recovered.

Cultural Significance

The artifacts from the First Pazırık Kurgan clearly demonstrate the dual role of the horse in steppe culture—as both a means of transport and a ceremonial object. Rich animal-style decorations reflect the artistic sensibility of the Pazırık culture and provide important insights into the craftsmanship of the period. Thanks to the frozen soil, organic materials and textiles have reached the present day without deterioration.

Second Pazırık Kurgan

The Second Pazırık Kurgan is located in the Pazırık burial ground of the Altai Mountains. It was discovered in 1947 by Russian archaeologist S. I. Rudenko. The tomb had been looted in antiquity, with bodies dismembered and valuable items removed, yet many artifacts remained preserved.

Architectural Features

• The kurgan contains a rectangular burial chamber constructed from wooden logs beneath a mound of stone and earth approximately 30 meters in diameter and 1.75 meters high. Beneath this mound lies a rectangular burial pit measuring 7.1 × 7.8 meters and 4 meters deep.
• The chamber was sealed with thick logs, covered with a stone layer and preserved intact due to frozen soil. The burial chamber contains both human and ceremonial horse burials.

Headdress Made of Leather, Fur and Gold from the Second Pazırık Kurgan (Yunus Ekim)

Artifacts

• Horse burials: Seven horse corpses, accompanied by harnesses, were found in the north of the chamber. The horses’ manes were cut and tails braided. Saddles were padded with deer wool or grass and decorated with eagle-griffin and deer figures.
• Human burial: A male (aged 50–60) and a female (aged over 40) were embalmed to prevent decomposition. The male exhibits a Mongoloid type and bears signs of trauma from a weapon blow to the skull.
• Burial offerings: Belts made of leather, gold and tendon fibers; a leather belt with rooster appliqués; a headdress adorned with fur and gold; red leather and textile boots. The red-decorated boots are interpreted as symbols of authority in steppe culture.^【2】 
• Additional finds include felt socks, silver plaques, wooden and leather pillows, a griffin-headed staff, a wooden table and table legs, wooden and bone horse masks, gold-inlaid bridle parts, deer-themed decorations, a tightly woven wool carpet fragment, felt appliquéd deer-patterned saddle covers and ceremonial objects.

Kumis Vessel from the Second Pazırık Kurgan (Yunus Ekim)

Cultural Significance

The finds shed light on the clothing culture, ritual practices and artistic understanding of steppe societies. Wooden furniture and carpets demonstrate the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the period.

Third Pazırık Kurgan

A large kurgan located in the Pazırık burial ground of the Altai Mountains, excavated by S. I. Rudenko in the 1940s. It contains both human and horse burials.

Architectural Features

• It consists of a rectangular burial chamber built from wooden logs at the bottom of a deep pit, beneath a stone mound. The chamber was lined with felt and the deceased were buried with their belongings.
• Altars were found on the surface above the burial, and rows of balbals were identified to the east.

Griffin-Headed Bridle Parts from the Third Pazırık Kurgan (Yunus Ekim)

Artifacts

• Horse burials: Horse skeletons, accompanied by harnesses, were found in the north of the chamber. The horses’ manes and tails were cut or braided in traditional fashion and arranged ceremonially with their harnesses.
• Burial offerings: Scythian-style metal decorations in animal motifs, carved wooden objects, examples of felt and leatherwork, gold and silver jewelry.
• Artistic elements: Excavations yielded bird-headed figures made of wood and gold leaf, wooden carvings of tigers and deer, depictions of mouflon and mountain goats, deer-horn-shaped decorations, scenes of wild rabbits on horse harness parts, bone saddle tips and symmetrical harness components, bone fragments with tiger-head motifs, and bridles made of leather, wood, bronze and gold leaf featuring griffin and mouflon figures.

Cultural Significance

The artifacts from the Third Pazırık Kurgan exemplify the steppe animal style. Particularly, wooden and bone craftsmanship combined with gold leaf decorations reveal how artistic and ceremonial elements were integrated within Pazırık culture. The detailed animal figures on horse harnesses reflect the economic, military and symbolic importance of the horse in steppe societies.

Fourth Pazırık Kurgan

A large kurgan located in the Pazırık burial ground of the Altai Mountains, exhibiting typical features of the Pazırık culture. Excavations were conducted by S. I. Rudenko.

Architectural Features

• The kurgan consists of a burial chamber built from wooden logs beneath a mound of stone and earth. The chamber was lined with felt and the deceased were buried with their belongings.
• On the surface, two altars were found beside the kurgan and four balbals to the east.

Horse Bridle Part with Animal Figures from the Fourth Pazırık Kurgan (Yunus Ekim)

Artifacts

• Horse burials: Horses accompanied by harnesses were buried in the north of the chamber.
• Burial offerings: Carved wooden objects, examples of felt and leatherwork, gold and silver ornaments, metal decorations in Scythian animal style.
• Artistic elements: Excavations yielded wooden carvings of wolves and tigers, leather and wooden bridles decorated with zoomorphic animal motifs. These finds reflect the woodworking, leather decoration techniques and animal-style aesthetics of the period.

Cultural Significance

The figures and decorated horse harnesses from the Fourth Pazırık Kurgan are significant for documenting the ceremonial and practical use of the horse in Pazırık culture. Animal-head motifs reveal the symbolic language of Altai steppe art and the close relationship with nature.

Fifth Pazırık Kurgan

A large burial mound of the Pazırık culture located in the Pazırık burial ground of the Altai Mountains, excavated in 1949 under the leadership of S. I. Rudenko. Thanks to frozen soil conditions, organic materials have been exceptionally preserved, and this kurgan gained worldwide fame particularly for the Pazırık Carpet.

Architectural Features

• It is one of the largest kurgans in the area.
• The kurgan consists of a burial chamber built from wooden logs beneath a mound of stone and earth. The chamber contains both human and horse burials.
• The chambers were sealed with thick logs and covered with stone layers, preserving their contents intact due to the region’s climate.

Detail of the Carpet from the Fifth Pazırık Kurgan (Yunus Ekim)

Artifacts

• Frozen tomb: Wooden, leather, felt and textile artifacts have been preserved due to the frozen soil.
• Horse burials: Horses accompanied by harnesses were buried in the north of the chamber.
• Burial offerings: The famous Pazırık Carpet, recognized as the world’s oldest knotted wool carpet, was recovered from this kurgan. Additional finds include carved wooden objects, furniture, metal decorations in animal style, felt wall hangings, worked leather pieces, and gold and silver jewelry.

Horse Mask from the Fifth Pazırık Kurgan (Yunus Ekim)

Cultural Significance

The Fifth Pazırık Kurgan reveals the aesthetic understanding, craftsmanship and symbolic values of steppe communities in terms of both art history and archaeology.

Pazırık Carpet (Bülent Yılmaz)

Pazırık Carpet

Dated to the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, the Pazırık Carpet is the world’s oldest known knotted carpet. Associated with the Hun or Scythian communities, it features four-leaf botanical motifs arranged in a checkerboard pattern at its center, and borders depicting deer, lions, griffins and horse-riding humans. The background uses dark red, as well as brown, yellow, navy blue, light blue and cream colors. Due to its symmetric knotting technique, the carpet is regarded as the first Turkish carpet.^【3】 

Chariot from the Fifth Pazırık Kurgan (Luzia Kılıç)

The Pazırık Kurgans constitute an important archaeological site representing the Early Iron Age steppe culture of the Altai region. The finds provide detailed information on the material culture, artistic production and burial traditions of horse-riding nomadic groups. The exceptional preservation of organic materials renders the site of significant importance in world archaeology.