At the very beginning of the Vedic Age (between BC 1500 and BC 600) in India, another noble civilisation was developing very close to the South Asian nation. The Iron Age was yet to begin in India at that period of time, although the Indus Valley Civilisation was just over. In other words, the northern part of India was going through the final stage of the Bronze Age (after the Stone Age). Bronze was also widely used in that elite civilisation developed near India. Although this civilisation lasted only 200 years, a high-class society, consisting of kings, rich merchants, priests and learned people, was formed near Begazy-Dandybai in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan.
Anthropologists recently found the burial place of high-level representatives of Begazy-Dandybai society. According to archaeologists, the tomb has helped them reveal various unknown information about the late Bronze Age culture that had flourished during the last phase of the Andronovo Period (BC 2000-1150). Archaeologists from Karaganda University were surprised to discover a pyramid in a mausoleum complex for a ruler of the Begazı-Dandibay Civilisation. During a period of four excavation seasons, they found the 3,000-year-old step pyramid similar to pyramids built by the Mayans in Latin America. Many such step pyramids have also been found in Mexico.
Meanwhile, the pyramid discovered in Kazakhstan is relatively short in height. Although its height is only 5ft from the ground, the pyramid spans 98ft in length and 65ft in width. Researchers have also found bodies buried in sarcophaguses (stone coffins or containers to hold a coffin) inside a burial chamber of the pyramid. They have claimed that the pyramid was actually built to bury the elite people. Interestingly, anthropologists have also discovered bronze weapons, pottery and animal bones inside each sarcophagus. From those, they get a glimpse of the spiritual thought of that civilisation. According to historians, the Begazı-Dandibay Civilisation practiced black magic.
Dr Aibar Kassenali of Karaganda University stressed: "Looking at the cut stones found in the pyramid, the size of the mausoleum, and the fact that such a huge structure was built in the Bronze Age in a very arid region such as the steppe is an indication of the high understanding of art and rich spiritual beliefs that the Begazi-Dandibay communities have reached."
Archaeologists from Karaganda University discovered the pyramid on a hill overlooking the Taldy River in Shet District of Karaganda while excavating a site in the Sari Arka steppes region of Kazakhstan. They also discovered a well-planned city built in that area. The city, spread over an area of 15 hectares, also had a network of wide roads. There was a huge archway to enter the meandering road network. In addition, there were planned drainage and water storage systems, places of worship, and even sacrificial altars. Dr Serhan Çınar of Karaganda University stated: "This settlement, which extends over an area of 15 hectares, existed chronologically in the same historical period as Troy 4 in Asia Minor, the Early Mycenaean Period in mainland Greece, and the advanced period of the Middle Kingdom in Egypt. The settlement has a series of walls, a planned street network, and water collection systems."
Researchers are of the opinion that all the residents of this city were involved in some profession or the other. However, they were mainly interested in the metal industry (especially bronze and copper) and trade. People of the Begazı-Dandibay Civilisation used to export those metals abroad. Researchers have also found evidence of economic exchange between the Begazı-Dandibay and other major civilisations. The trade relations were widespread throughout Eurasia.
Evidence of gold ore mining has also been found in this particular region. However, some people were involved in trading of animal products in this civilisation. Class division used to exist in Begazı-Dandibay society as those who were in the profession of metal industry used to enjoy the elite status. The existence of this civilisation would have remained unknown, had not the researchers of Karaganda University started excavating the area. And, the 3,000-year-old civilisation would have remained buried underneath the ground for several hundred years.
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