Typology and genesis of circular signs of the Kairakkol and Aksu petroglyphs

Abstract

The Kairakkol and Aksu petroglyphs are part of the group of monuments of the Tausamaly archaeological complex located in the Aksu district of the Zhetysu region. The complex includes three burial grounds and an early Iron Age settlement, single and small groups of mounds that are tentatively dated to the Middle Ages and clusters of petroglyphs of different times. The monuments occupy the territory from the outskirts of the village of Tausamaly and the eastern slopes of the Karakungei Mountains to the eastern tip of the Suuk plateau in the Kairakkol Mountains. The study of the complex begins in 2019 with the emergency
excavations of the Archaeological Expedition LLP on the mound containing the burial of the Pazyryk type, subsequently included in the large burial ground of Tausamaly. Unique research materials allowed us to continue the work. Since 2020, Archaeological Expedition LLP and the Regional Department for the Protection and Use of Historical and Cultural Heritage have been conducting joint and systematic research on the newly discovered burial ground and in its vicinity. Since 2022, the Tausamal detachment of the Margulan Institute Archaeology has been working at the archaeological complex. As a result of the conducted archaeological survey, new archaeological sites, clusters of petroglyphs were identified, among which a
collection of circular signs is noted. The data obtained in 2022 made it possible to carry out an initial attempt to systematize them. The published collection includes 25 circular signs from five large clusters of petroglyphs. The work takes into account the characteristics of both the images themselves and their spatial and topographic position. Based on the selected parameters, a primary typology was carried out and an attempt was made to analyze the genesis of circular images. Visualized combinations of source and derived groups of images are compiled. As a result of the conducted research, the signs are divided into two main
types — circular and spectacled rock carvings. Each type of images, taking into account the fixed characteristics, is divided into three groups. The list of selected circular signs includes images of closed animal horns, schematic images of chariots, lunar-solar and tamgo-like signs.