A remarkable archaeological discovery in western Kazakhstan is shedding new light on the region’s ancient urban heritage. Researchers excavating the Karakabak settlement in the Mangistau region have uncovered a rare ceramic jug believed to date back to the 6th century AD.

The artifact was found during ongoing archaeological digs at the historic site, one of the most important ancient settlements in Mangistau. Archaeologist Andrey Astafyev revealed the discovery, noting that preliminary analysis suggests the vessel was produced by local craftsmen, highlighting the advanced skills of artisans who lived in the area more than 1,400 years ago, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

Experts believe the ceramic jug could provide valuable clues about everyday life, cultural traditions, and technological achievements of the settlement’s inhabitants. A detailed study of the artifact is expected to offer fresh insights into the social and economic development of the region during antiquity.

Located near the village of Tauchik, Karakabak was inhabited from roughly the 1st to the 6th centuries AD. The site has long fascinated historians because its discovery challenged the traditional view that ancient Mangyshlak was populated exclusively by nomadic tribes. Instead, evidence from Karakabak points to the existence of a flourishing urban community with developed craftsmanship and trade.

The latest find comes as specialists from the Archaeology Department of the Abish Kekilbayuly Mangistau Regional Museum of Local History and researchers from the Margulan Institute of Archaeology continue extensive excavations at the settlement.