Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Kyrgyzstan Toguz Toro Saimaluu Tash
AO Edited

Saimaluu Tash

These oldest of these "embroidered stones" were carved 4,000 years ago in a high mountain valley.

Toguz Toro, Kyrgyzstan

Added By
Lakehurst
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The petroglyph area   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The glacier to cross to reach the petroglyph area with a horse trying to climb   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The whole area   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The pond   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

At this site in the Kyrgyzstan's Ferghana Range, more than 90,000 petroglyphs are carved on black stones. In the Kyrgyz language, Saimaluu-Tash means "patterned/embroidered stone." These works of rock art date back as far as 4,000 years ago, and were carved over time by a number of different groups. 

There are two areas with carved rocks. The longest one is more than three kilometers long and between the two there is a pond. The large galleries of petroglyphs appear to show scenes of hunting, shamanic rituals, and sexual intercourse, with a mystic meaning or for votive reasons. The oldest pieces are thought to date to the second or third century B.C., and new art was added into the Middle Ages. 

Archaeologists have found evidence of a settlement at the site from the eighth century B.C. to first century A.D. The Saka priests are believed to have used the site for sacrificial rites. The site was sacred to the people of Tien Shan and Pre Ferghana, and is even now sacred to the modern generation of Kyrgizians for spiritual and healing qualities.

The area is reachable only in August by foot (six to eight hours of hard trekking) or horse (three to four hours) passing through fields of grass, woads, on the top of a glaciers in a constant ascent usually in a very small pathway.

Related Tags

Petroglyphs Archaeology Rocks Rites And Rituals Geology

Know Before You Go

To reach the area there is a ticket to buy in Kazarman, where is possible to arrange guides, a Jeep to reach the base where to start the climb, and horses.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars

A 2-Week, 4-Country Odyssey.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Lakehurst

Published

June 1, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://cbtkyrgyzstan.com/destination/saimaluu-tash-petroglyhps/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saimaluu_Tash
  • https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1512/
Saimaluu Tash
Toguz Toro
Kyrgyzstan
41.180667, 73.814
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Min Kush

Ming-Kush, Kyrgyzstan

miles away

Kojomkul Memorial

Kojomkul, Kyrgyzstan

miles away

Muzey Sulayman Too

Osh, Kyrgyzstan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan

Asia

Places 19
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Min Kush

Ming-Kush, Kyrgyzstan

miles away

Kojomkul Memorial

Kojomkul, Kyrgyzstan

miles away

Muzey Sulayman Too

Osh, Kyrgyzstan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan

Asia

Places 19
Stories 4

Related Places

  • Painted Rock

    Santa Margarita, California

    Painted Rock

    The oldest pictographs on this decorated rock formation in California's Carrizo Plain date back as many as 4,000 years.

  • Mexico

    Boca de Potrerillos

    A mysterious, ancient collection of pre-Hispanic petroglyphs hidden deep in the Mexican desert.

  • Inyo County, California

    Coso Rock Art District

    A mountain range on an active U.S. Navy base hides thousands of mysterious prehistoric rock carvings.

  • Petroglyphs.

    Clear Fork, West Virginia

    Luther Elkins Petroglyphs

    A cult archaeology conspiracy theory claims these West Virginia petroglyphs were written by Irish monks in Ogham.

  • Crow Canyon Petroglyphs.

    New Mexico

    Crow Canyon Petroglyphs

    One of the American Southwest's most extensive collections of Navajo rock art.

  • A pictograph at Bear Gulch.

    Forest Grove, Montana

    Bear Gulch Pictographs

    A scenic ravine with an astounding collection of rock art created by the Indigenous people of the Great Plains.

  • The “map” petroglyph

    San Martín, Peru

    Petroglyphs of Polish

    This set of mysterious petroglyphs in the Peruvian jungle could shed light on centuries-old activities in the region.

  • Salt Cave

    Fallon, Nevada

    Salt Cave

    Red ocher pictographs survive in this tufa rock shelter on the shore of an ancient lake.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.