Wusun Ancient Tombs Cluster

Wusun Ancient Tombs Cluster

The Wusun Ancient Tombs Cluster is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Wusun Ancient Tombs Cluster is distributed across the Turgalay Grassland in Yumin County. Based on the shape of the tombs, they can be divided into square and round types; based on their structure, they fall into five categories: earthen mound tombs, earthen ring tombs, stone mound tombs, earth-and-stone mound tombs, and stone figure tombs. According to preliminary research by archaeologists, the Turgalay Ancient Tombs Cluster in Yumin is believed to have been formed during China’s Han Dynasty period. It served as the burial ground for the ancient Wusun ethnic tribes of the Western Regions, representing a part of the ancient nomadic culture of the Wusun people along the ancient Silk Road in Eurasia. It has become a focal point for many archaeologists studying the nomadic life and grassland culture of ancient peoples.

Wusun Ancient Tombs: Also known as Wusun earthen mound tombs or Turkic ancient tombs. According to historians, this type of earthen mound tomb burial practice originated with the Saka people, and was later adopted by the Wusun and the Turks. Most earthen mound tombs are semi-conical in shape and are often found arranged in north-south chains — either in rows of 3–5 or clusters of 10–20. More than 1,500 earthen mound tombs are distributed within the territory of Tekes County. In one location alone, there are as many as 200 tombs, with bases about 8–10 meters high and perimeters close to 300 meters. On the Kuoketireke Grassland, there is a cluster of earthen mound tombs, among which two large tombs stand approximately 20 meters tall, with diameters of over 50 meters and base perimeters of more than 200 meters. Around these large tombs, four smaller ones are arranged in a surrounding formation, creating a quite spectacular sight. The local Kyrgyz people call this place “Hoshtobe,” meaning "double mounds." In the Kalatorek River Valley, there is also a tomb cluster composed of over 10 earthen mound tombs, the largest of which has a diameter of 33 meters, a height of 16 meters, and a base perimeter of over 100 meters, while the smallest has a diameter of 3.5 meters and a height of 2.5 meters. These earthen mound tomb clusters bear witness to the remains of ancient peoples who once thrived in the Tekes River Valley. They are not only unique cultural landscapes on the Tekes grasslands, but also valuable repositories of historical artifacts that offer insights into the ancient peoples of the region. Chinese historians have identified these earthen mound tombs as belonging to three historical periods: the Saka, the Wusun, and the Turks. Excavations carried out by relevant cultural relics and archaeology departments have uncovered artifacts such as bronze axes, bronze tripods, bronze arrowheads, bronze coins, and ornaments shaped like ox heads and crescent moons. The larger earthen mound tombs were mostly the burial sites of tribal chiefs, community leaders, and nobility of the time.