Steppe Geoglyphs
The Steppe Geoglyphs are a number of Neolithic earth constructions in the Turgay Trough area of Turgai in northern Kazakhstan. There are at least 260 of these earthworks.[1][2]
Many or all of them are smaller earthworks (mounds, trenches and ramparts) arranged with each other to make geometric and other shapes (composite figures). These shapes are squares, rings and three others.[1] The composite figures range from slightly under 90 m in length to over 400 m in diameter.[3] Besides being made of earth dug out and piled up, some of the geoglyphs are made by placing stones next to each other. [4]
Some of the large shapes have been given names, including Bestamskoe Ring, Ushtogaysky (or Ushtogay) Square, Turgay triradial swastika, Large cross Ashtasti, Ekedyn cross, Ashutasti ring, Kyzyloba line, Koga cross, and Shili square.[5][1]
Optical dating (optically stimulated luminescence) was used to get a date for these structures. The results indicate that they date between eight and one thousand years ago.[1] [6]
The earthworks were discovered in 2007 by Dimitriy Dey.[1] He found them when he was looking at Google Earth. He had been looking for pyramids or similar structures in Kazakhstan. The geoglyphs were first reported to the scientific community in 2014.[7]
Road construction in 2013 damaged one of the structures. [8]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Blumenthal, Ralph (October 30, 2015). "NASA Adds to Evidence of Mysterious Ancient Earthworks". Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ Epstein, Adam (October 31, 2015). "Even NASA is perplexed by these otherworldly 8,000-year-old formations in Kazakhstan". Retrieved November 1, 2015.
Since then, Dey has found about 260 of the land designs—which resemble crop circles, but are much stranger.
- ↑ http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec53991/htm[dead link]
- ↑ "Kazakhstan images reveal 'remarkable' structures including a cross and a swastika - Daily Mail Online". Mail Online. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ↑ "Geoglyph Turgay Trough". turgay.kz. University of Pittsburgh. September 2015. Archived from the original on 3 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ↑ http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec53991/07-018.htm[dead link]
- ↑ Irina Shevnina; et al. "Steppe Geoglyphs mark the ancient routes of human migration across Central Asia introduction to the research". academia.edu. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ↑ lizleafloor. "Ancient Geoglyphs of Kazakhstan: The Mysterious Markings in Danger of Destruction". Ancient Origins. Retrieved 2018-07-25.