Artifacts Seized as Illegal Assets Transferred to Kazakh Museum

The collection, which includes jewelry crafted in the traditional “animal style,” weighs approximately 118 grams and dates between the 7th century BC and the 3rd century AD.

The Company for the Management of Returned Assets (CMRA) LLP has announced that ancient jewelry, reclaimed as illegal assets from individuals, will now be part of the National Museum of Kazakhstan’s collection.

Examinations revealed that the jewelry has significant historical value, dating back to the early Iron and medieval periods. Some of the pieces, identified as ancient artifacts, are linked to the Saka period, a pivotal era in Kazakh history, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia. 

According to a letter from the National Museum, several items hold cultural importance, representing Kazakhstan’s history from the Early Iron Age through the Middle Ages. These artifacts will be added to the museum’s permanent collection, making them available for scientific research and accessible to a broader audience.

The collection, which includes jewelry crafted in the traditional “animal style,” weighs approximately 118 grams and dates between the 7th century BC and the 3rd century AD. Notable pieces include an eagle’s head ornament, a depiction of a horned animal in a raised position, figures of a winged lion and a winged horse, a leopard in a dynamic pose, an image of a running deer, ancient coins, two interlocked spiral rings, and a ring with a lion’s head. Additionally, a ring inscribed with Arabic script will undergo further study and re-evaluation.

Previously, the CMRA named the five most valuable pieces of jewelry and accessories recovered and returned to the state.