Issyk-Kul Lake, a legendary lake, is located at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations, a must-stop on the northern leg of the Silk Road. This lake, which has witnessed thousands of years of history, has also left countless traces of antiquity, some of which have been overshadowed by time. In recent years, with the development of archaeological work, exciting discoveries are constantly emerging......
One or two legends
There are two legends about Issyk Kul.
The first legend is that as a result of a strong earthquake, a city sank completely into the ground, and the depressions were filled with water. The girls who returned from collecting firewood found that their city no longer existed, so they came to the lake every day to cry for their lost loved ones. Tears flowed so much that the original lake water became bitter and salty.
The second legend is that a ruler fell in love with a beautiful girl and forcibly brought her into the palace. Unable to accept separation from her beloved shepherd, she jumped from the window. At the same time, the stream flowed down the hill and flooded the palace, where a lake was formed.
According to historical sources, Issyk-Kul first appeared in the Chinese chronicles of the second century BC, when it was named "Atami". And the study of the lake did not begin until the 19th century.
Interestingly, both legends mention "cities", so was there really a city, a palace, or even a splendid civilization in the place where Issyk-Kul is located?
2. Archaeological discoveries
The old gentleman, who was born in 1937, is 87 years old this year
In 2006, Vladimir Ploskikh (Владимир Плоских), Vice-President of the Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences, led an archaeological study that led to the discovery of remains of an ancient civilization at least 2,500 years old at the bottom of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Divers and archaeologists from Kyrgyzstan and Russia are involved in the exploration of the bottom of the lake. Based on their excavations, it is speculated that there were once large city ruins here. About 10-15 centuries ago, the water level of the lake was 8 meters lower than it is now, and it is likely that many of the ruins were submerged after the lake rose. An example of this is the shallow waters of the lake and the remains of ancient settlements.
The finds included bronze axes, arrowheads, self-sharpening daggers, items discarded by blacksmiths, casting molds, and faceted gold bars, the monetary unit of the time.
What comes out of the dotted coil is the approximate extent of the Pontic civilization
Mesolithic to Early Bronze Age Eurasia
The Pontic Household Cavalry Regiment in the game
Although there is not much information about this civilization, those involved in the study claim that Issyk-Kul may have been a settlement on a scale similar to the Pontic civilization of the Black Sea and even the Egyptian civilization of the time.
Issyk-Kul is located on the migration route of early steppe nomads and Indo-Aryan tribes, and collisions and exchanges between different races and tribes are inevitable.
Once again, the mysteries of history at the intersection of Eastern and Western civilizations have become confusing and fascinating.
3. More relics
Since then, the scientific research project has been slowly advancing. In 2015, the Siberian Times published another finding.
At the bottom of the lake, 23 meters away, the report said, was found to possibly belong to the Saka people, a Scythian tribe that originated in the Iranian plateau. Famous nomadic warriors of antiquity, roaming the steppes of Central Asia) settlements.
However, the discovery of the lake floor in 2015 is not the same as the discovery in 2006 of ancient urban ruins of about the same period, and the discovery of Scythian mounds in the Issyk-Kul region in 2007. This is yet another new discovery. So, is it possible that there was a history of multiple civilizations conquering and destroying each other in a period not too far apart? Divers from Tomsk State University say they have found another previously unknown "outpost of the ancient world", as well as 200 artifacts from this long-lost culture.
A large clay pot found in the lake has a seal written in Armenian and Syriac scripts, which, if confirmed, confirms the claim that there was an Armenian monastery here in the Middle Ages. Dmitry Gorn, head of the Tomsk Diving "SKAT TSU Club", who led the diving group, said, "The pot fragments with the imprint are truly unique. Experts are working on the identification of the text on the fragments, but this is supposed to be Armenian-Syriac. ”
In addition to the fragments of ruined remains, the remains of ancient Armenian monasteries have been found in the waters of Lake Issyk-Kul. According to legend, the Apostle Matthew the Apostle's Issyk-Kul lake was Matthew's final resting place, and his relics are there. Many Christians say that the remains of the apostle Matthew are in the Cathedral of Salerno, Italy, where the saint is enshrined. The Orthodox Church has a different point of view, which was put forward by Metropolitan Vladimir of Tashkent and Central Asia.
Hypothetical image created by AI
He claimed that St. Matthew's body, after his crucifixion and death, was hidden by his followers and buried on the beach of Lake Issyk-Kul. St. Matthew died in Syria. His followers, fleeing persecution in Rome, brought the relics of the apostles to the land. The relics were kept in a monastery on the beach of Issyk-Kul Lake, and the whole of Christendom knew about it. Gorn continues: "Underwater archaeology has allowed us to uncover a previously unknown settlement of the Secas with clear traces of bronze casting production at the bottom of Lake Issyk-Kul. The expedition carried out the excavation using hydraulic pumps, metal detectors and other equipment. ”
A piece of lost history on the ancient Silk Road may be hidden in the lake. "We recovered more than 200 artifacts, mainly pottery fragments, whetstones, bronze sacrificial sickles, many slags and traces of casting production," he said. "We managed to find a complete clay pot, said to belong to the Saka-Usun culture, and was most likely used for sacrifices, as its shape closely resembles another artifact found near the burial site, which was discovered by Artyom Yeremin, a student at Tomsk State University."
阿旃陀石窟 (Ajanta Caves) 壁画
According to the Rigveda, Indra would drink a cup of Soma before a fight, which gave him strength, alertness, clear vision, and even immortality
Regarding clay pots, it may also be related to alcohol consumption. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus mentioned that the Sagas drank Soma, an intoxicating strong liquid, and that they lived in Central Asia. If this is the case, a new chapter will be added to the archaeological content related to the history of drinking in Central Asia. 4. More TreasuresIn fact, this is not the first time that the Issyk-Kul region has been archaeologically presented, and the local deep and rich historical heritage has long been known around the world. In 1969, a team of Soviet scientists, led by Kazakh archaeologist Kemal Akişev, discovered the site of a famous burial complex in which Kazakh "golden people" were unearthed, dating back to the 4th or 3rd century BC. A search for the keyword "Esik Kurgan/Issyk Kurgan" archaeology reveals a lot of shocking findings.
These Sakya warriors have also become an important element in Kazakhstan's traditional culture, and their images appear on many stamps and commemorative coins. If you are interested, you can take a closer look at the National Museum in Almaty (replica) or Astana (original).
When we walk towards the Silk Road with curiosity and questions, looking for the past of the steppe, looking for the story of the past civilization of Eurasia, maybe everything will become interesting.