Saimaluu-Tash

One of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the world

By Plateau Perspectives

June 30^th, 2023

Saimaluu-Tash or 'patterned stone' in Kyrgyz is home to one of the most extraordinary sights Kyrgyzstan has to offer. Within the state park, over 10,000 petroglyphs are scattered on basalt stones at an elevation of over 3,000m. The petroglyphs contain distinct images from various groups and communities who inhabited the region, spanning from the Eneolithic to the Bronze Age. This dates some of the drawings to over 5,000 years ago.

Discovered in 1902 by Russian cartographers, this remote mountainous territory is located on the eastern slope of the Ferghana range and is only accessible in July and August due to snow cover.

Getting there

Located in Jalal-Abad Oblast (province) of Kyrgyzstan, the closest city to the state park is Kazarman. Thanks to a newly built road, the journey between Saimaluu-Tash and Kazarman is about 30 minutes.

Once inside the park, a 4-5 hour hike is needed to get you to the petroglyphs, crossing streams, hiking up a gorge, and walking along a glacier... While there are sections of clearly defined trail near the park entrance, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate without prior experience in the park or a local guide.

The Petroglyphs

The petroglyphs themselves display a wide range of images. Sun-deities and other spirit beings can be easily identified in many of the drawings with their anthropomorphic features and shining or "sun like" heads. In other images, there are clear depictions of daily life including agriculture, hunting, and even the early domestication of canines.

Current Status of the Park

As of September 2022, Saimaluu Tash was listed as a National Park in Kyrgyzstan and it is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites tentative list.

Due to the remote location of the park and its inaccessibility for over nine months each year, current threats are relatively limited. Kazarman and the surrounding area, however, are well known for mining of natural resources, so this should be carefully monitored as potential threat to the park in the future.

To cite: Raulerson, Matt. (2023). Saimaluu Tash – One of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the world. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Plateau Perspectives. https://stories.plateauperspectives.org/saimaluu-tash

For more information:

Mountain rock art at Saimaluu Tash: battle chariots and ploughing scenes at an altitude of 3,000m

"The remote, mountainous location of Saimaluu Tash has ensured that its ancient rock art remains remarkably well preserved. Some of the images, though, feature subjects such as ploughing and chariots. The presence of activities best suited to much lower altitudes raises questions about who was creating this rock art and why."

Christoph Baumer, 20 March 2023, The Past (World Archaeology)

From Atlas Obscura:

"At this site in Kyrgyzstan’s Ferghana Range, more than 90,000 petroglyphs are carved on black stones. In the Kyrgyz language, Saimaluu-Tash means “patterned/embroidered stone.” These works of rock art date back as far as 4,000 years ago, and were carved over time by a number of different groups. [...]

"Archaeologists have found evidence of a settlement at the site from the eighth century B.C. to first century A.D. The Saka priests are believed to have used the site for sacrificial rites. The site was sacred to the people of Tien Shan and Pre Ferghana, and is even now sacred to the modern generation of Kyrgizians for spiritual and healing qualities. [...]