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0138 Explorations in Turkestan 1903 : vol.1
Explorations in Turkestan 1903 : vol.1 / Page 138 (Color Image)

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[Figure] 79 Stone Circles near Lake Son Kul. The distance in feet between the circles is indicated in figures on the right.

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doi: 10.20676/00000177
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EXPLORATIONS IN TURKESTAN.

NOTES ON ARCHEOLOGY.

Brief mention has already been made of the ruins and mounds on the plains. They are further considered in reports by other members of the expedition. The following notes concern localities that were visited on the journey from Andizhan

to Issik Kul.

MOUNDS ON THE (EASTERN) KUGART TERRACE.

Near the terminal mass of the great landslide of the (eastern) Kugart, on the high terrace plain over the Kirghiz bridge, we saw 20 to 30 small mounds, from 20 to 25 feet in diameter and from 3 to 5 feet high, made mostly of earth, with cobbles from the terrrace and small angular blocks from the landslide. Smaller mounds, from 5 to 8 feet in diameter and 4 feet in height, were made wholly of stones. No chipped stones were found near them. No such mounds as these were seen in the summer camps of the Kirghiz, and hence we ascribe them to some earlier people.

STONE CIRCLES NEAR SON KUL.

On the gently inclined piedmont slopes that descend to the   O00

southeast shore of Son Kul, a mile or more from the lake, we found   ~0 00

a row of stone circles. Our guide said they marked the camp of   O 50

a powerful khan who used to occupy this district, but the Kirghiz   o 04

are not to be trusted in such matters. The circles were nine in   ó U

00

number, unevenly spaced, but set on a nearly north and south line,

bearing N. 8° W. magnetic. They are i i or 12 feet in diameter,   

each one containing eight stones from 3 to 5 feet in diameter, all   ~oos2

of granite from the mountains a mile or more to the south.   C~°00

The fourth and eighth circles have been disturbed. The general   o0 8
arrangement of the stones is indicated in fig. 79, which shows the oo 0420

0

lateral displacement of the fourth and fifth circles, and indicates   37

the distance between the successive circles, as determined by pacing.   0 Ó

A standing stone, rising 4 feet above the ground, is set in a   00 ss

0

15-foot circle of small stones, 6o feet east of the ninth circle.   â

North or northeast of the row of circles, 28 small gravel mounds   QOM° 47

occur within a few hundred feet, and a 5-foot standing stone is   O c),(,

seen by the trail 500 or 600 feet to the west. A mile or more to   oo42

the east there are several earth mounds, 5 or 6 feet high and from   p o p

3o to 5o feet in diameter. Four of them are nearly on a N. 12° W.   OO QO

(magnetic) line. The others are placed irregularly. No chipped Fig. 79.—Stone Circles stones or flakes were found by any of the circles or mounds. Two near Lake Son Kul. standing stones on a mound on the plain northeast of Son Kul The distance in feet

between the circles is have human faces rudely carved in outline on a flat surface. Regel indicated in figures on

makes mention of similar mnonumnents18   1   the right.

( 79~ 4 4)•

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