Berel kurgan

Berel kurgan^[1] 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.^[1][3]

Geographical rangeSouth Siberia

Dates5-3rd centuries BCE

Major sites49.3732082°N 86.4380264°E / 49.3732082; 86.4380264

Preceded byKarasuk culture

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Berel

[-500] SAKAS Tasmola Kulay Goro- khovo Itkul Sargat Ananyino culture Massagetae Sauro- matians Mumun Dian culture SABEANS Ordos Yanglang Shajing Pazyryk Tagar Chandman Aldy-Bel YUEZHI Subeshi ACHAEMENID EMPIRE MAHA- JANAPADAS ZHOU DYNASTY Slab-grave culture DONGHU MEROË Scythians Location of Berel (),[1] with contemporary cultures in the 6th century BCE
Geographical range	South Siberia
Dates	5-3rd centuries BCE
Major sites	49.3732082°N 86.4380264°E / 49.3732082; 86.4380264
Preceded by	Karasuk culture
Followed by	Aldy-Bel culture, Pazyryk culture, Tagar culture

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The excavations have revealed artefacts the sophistication of which are encouraging a revaluation of the nomadic cultures of the 5th to 3rd centuries BCE.^[4] The Kurgans contained vast quantities of precious golden jewelry.^[5]

Horses were buried in the kurgans next to their owner, and were lavishly decorated.^[6]

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  Griffins burial mound Berel (5th-3rd centuries BCE) Kazakhstan.JPG
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  Catlike predator with protomas of two elk burial mound Berel (IV.-III. B.C.) Kazakhstan.^[7]
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  Scene of torment burial mound Berel (5-3rd centuries BCE) Kazakhstan.^[7]
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  Deer in Griffin's beak, burial mound Berel (4-3rd centuries BCE) Kazakstan.
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  Tigergriffin arthor work based on Scytian- saka animal style burial mound Berel (5-3rd centuries BCE) Kazakstan.
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  Decorated horse from the Berel kurgan (reconstruction).^[6][8]
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  Griffin-Shaped Coffin Nail (replica), 4th-3rd century BCE. Gilt Bronze. Berel Kugan, East Kazakhstan. National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.^[9]