Image Credit: Peter J. Brown (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A 3,500-year-old Bronze Age city discovered in northeastern Kazakhstan is raising new questions about the architectural and technological capabilities of steppe societies.1
Recent research at Semiyarka, situated on a hilltop, has revealed that it hosted a much larger and more organized settlement than previously thought during the Late Bronze Age. Until recently thought to cover approximately 40 hectares, new measurements have determined that the settlement extended up to 140 hectares. This size, according to experts, makes Semiyarka one of the most striking settlements of the Eurasian Steppe.
Ceramic sherds found at Semiyarka indicate that the settlement was linked to the Cherkaskul and Alekseevka–Sargary cultures. The high number of Alekseevka–Sargary examples, in particular, suggests that the region was an important stop within this cultural network at the time. Conversely, the low density of finds in some areas suggests that certain sections of the settlement may have been designated for seasonal or temporary use.
One of the settlement’s most intriguing features are the long earthen rises, easily visible both from the air and the field. These lines reach a height of approximately one meter. Researchers note that these adjacent rows of structures contain compartments resembling rooms, suggesting a planned settlement. A larger structure has been identified at the intersection of these rows. Its location and size suggest that this structure may have served a more central function, such as ceremonial, administrative, or communal use.
Geophysical measurements revealed traces of adobe walls in the interior of the soil elevations. These traces reveal a distinct architectural pattern repeated throughout the settlement. On the other hand, the absence of clear structural traces in areas where surface metalwork is concentrated suggests that production activities may have been conducted primarily in open areas or in lightweight structures.
Image Credit: Miljana Radivojević, et al/Cambridge University Press
Traces of metalworking are among the most significant findings that distinguish Semiyarka. Samples of slag, ore fragments, melting pots, and other metal artifacts found on the surface indicate that copper carbonate ores were processed, producing bronzes with high tin content. Experts suggest that this production may have been made possible by the region’s proximity to the mineral deposits in the Altai Mountains. The data suggests that steppe communities did not engage in dispersed production as widely as previously thought, but rather conducted organized and controlled metalworking activities at specific centers.
The distribution of finds within the settlement suggests that the core area, with its elevated land masses, was used more intensively, while the areas extending eastward were less frequent, perhaps serving supporting functions. Experts note that Semiyarka’s size and planned layout clearly distinguish it from other Bronze Age settlements in the region. While similar settlements of approximately 30 hectares are known, no other example has yet been found where both the architectural layout and metal production were on such a large scale.
As the excavations progress, clearer information is expected to be obtained regarding Semiyarka’s architectural structure, the scope of its production activities, and its place in the regional trade networks of the period.
- Radivojević M, Lawrence D, Merz VK, et al. A major city of the Kazakh Steppe? Investigating Semiyarka’s Bronze Age legacy. Antiquity. Published online 2025:1-9. doi:10.15184/aqy.2025.10244[↩]
