Archaeologists have made a staggering discovery in the vast steppes of Kazakhstan, unearthing a lost city from the Bronze Age that challenges long-held beliefs about ancient nomadic life.
The settlement, known as Semiyarka, spans an impressive 346 acres – roughly the size of London's Hyde Park – and dates back to around 1600 BC.
A Thriving Metropolis on the Steppe
Led by Dan Lawrence, a landscape archaeologist from Durham University, the research team used drones and excavations to reveal the city's secrets. Their findings, published in the journal Antiquity, paint a picture of a surprisingly complex society.
For centuries, the Central Asian steppes were thought to be inhabited solely by travelling nomads. "The settlements we do have tend to be tiny, with just a handful of houses, while Semiyarka is massive," Lawrence told Metro. This discovery fundamentally alters that perception.
Researchers found rows of approximately 20 mud-brick homes, built inside large earthen banks that may have served as defensive structures. A larger building was also uncovered, potentially a centre for governance or ritual activities.
The Heart of Bronze Age Industry
Perhaps the most significant finding was evidence of large-scale, advanced metallurgy. Southeast of the residential area, archaeologists discovered metal artefacts, ores, slag, and crucibles.
"Semiyarka is the only site in the lowland steppe zone where we have evidence for advanced metallurgy, and on a large scale," Lawrence explained. This area was likely a dedicated workshop where inhabitants smelted copper and tin to create bronze axes and tools.
This industrial activity suggests the city was a hub in extensive trade networks. "It shows there were clear connections between the uplands and lowlands, and that groups on the plain were engaged in networks of movement and trade at a large scale," Lawrence added.
Daily Life in an Extreme Environment
Life in Semiyarka was undoubtedly harsh. Lawrence estimates a population of 300 to 1,000 people endured extreme winters with deep snow. Their mud-brick houses, protected by earthen banks, offered crucial shelter.
Analysis suggests the diet was heavily meat-based, featuring horse meat and horse milk, as growing crops in the river valley was difficult. Pottery shards link the inhabitants to other Late Bronze Age cultures known for barley farming and cattle herding.
Dr Joshua Wright, an archaeologist from the University of Aberdeen not involved in the study, emphasised the importance of the find. He stated it shows the people of the steppes were more organised than previously believed, with complex building compounds and industrial areas.
For Lawrence, the most intriguing question is about the city's connections. "You might have had lots of less permanent residents passing through, perhaps traders bringing in the metals or taking away finished artefacts," he mused, highlighting a dynamic and interconnected ancient world far removed from the image of isolated nomads.
