Early Medieval Origins
In August 2026, archaeologists uncovered a previously unknown Turkic stone statue near the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, located in the Juu-Ku river valley of Kyrgyzstan. This remarkable find was made during an international archaeological expedition held from August 22 to 29, organized by the Great Altai Research Center for Altai and Turkic Studies at Altai State University. The statue was carefully recorded using photogrammetry technology and left in situ to ensure its preservation.
Research and Future Plans
Plans are underway to relocate the statue to a museum in the village of Orgokhor, where it can be better protected and displayed. Alexey Tishkin, head of the Archaeology, Ethnography, and Museology Department at Altai State University, emphasized that
"moving the statue to the nearby museum will ultimately provide enhanced protection."During the expedition, researchers also examined a fragment of a stone stele from a Buddhist temple, featuring intertwined dragon motifs. Notably, this stele lacks the tamga symbol associated with the Ashina clan, the ruling dynasty of the early Turkic Khaganates. Further studies are needed to establish the stele's dating, purpose, and connection to other Turkic artifacts across Central Asia.
In addition to these archaeological discoveries, a new species of large predatory dinosaur named Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus was identified in Kyrgyzstan in 2024. Dating back approximately 165 million years, this theropod is the first of its kind found in Kyrgyzstan and represents the earliest large Jurassic predator discovered between Central Europe and East Asia. These findings highlight Kyrgyzstan's rich cultural and natural heritage, underlining the need for continued research and preservation efforts.
The expedition also contributes to a larger project creating 3D digital models of Turkic stone monuments for the virtual museum "Great Altai – Homeland of the Turks." This initiative aims to document and safeguard the region's Turkic cultural heritage while advancing academic knowledge.
The discovery of the ancient Turkic statue affirms Kyrgyzstan's significance as a center of early Turkic history and culture. Ongoing research from the expedition promises to deepen understanding of Turkic heritage and promote the protection of historical sites. Relocating the statue to the Orgokhor museum will provide superior conditions for its conservation and scholarly study, marking an important step in preserving Kyrgyzstan's cultural legacy.
In a similar vein of archaeological discoveries in the region, researchers in Uzbekistan recently uncovered an ancient temple adorned with intricate tulip paintings. This find not only enriches our understanding of the artistic expression in ancient cultures but also highlights the significance of ongoing archaeological efforts in Central Asia. To learn more about this fascinating discovery, visit this article.