Kazakhstan's Ancient Nomadic Culture

A horned sphinx from a coffin shroud, late 4th–early 3rd century B.C. (Presidential Center of Culture, Astana)

A plaque of a perched raptor or vulture, 8th–7th century B.C. (Central State Museum, Almaty)

The plaque of a standing argali mountain sheep, 8th–7th century B.C. (Central State Museum, Almaty)

A “snow leopard mask” consisting of two facing ibex heads and a flying bird, 8th–7th century B.C. (Central State Museum, Almaty)

Embroidery of a winged bull from saddle cloth, (late 4th–early 3rd century B.C.) (A. Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Almaty)

A U-shaped element with a scale pattern from a bridle throat latch horn, late 4th–early 3rd century B.C. (A. Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Almaty)

A plaque of facing elk-griffin heads, late 4th–early 3rd century B.C. (A. Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Almaty)

A cauldron adornment (protome) featuring winged ibexes, 5th–3rd century B.C. (Central State Museum, Almaty)

Horned deer with folded legs, 7th–6th century B.C. (Presidential Center of Culture, Astana)

A feline face and stylized ornaments from horse tack, late 4th–early 3rd century B.C. (Presidential Center of Culture, Astana)

A round tray on a conical stand with figures of a seated man and a standing horse in the center, 5th–3rd century B.C. (Central State Museum, Almaty)