Almost 200 km (124 mi) to the northwest of Almaty in the Anyrakay Mountains is a sacral place full of ancient monuments of petroglyphs of Kazakhstan — the Tamgaly. Since 2004, the monument is under protection of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is included in the list of World heritage.
The Tamgaly — one of the most interesting memorials in the republic, monuments date back to the Bronze and Middle Ages. Besides rock drawings and carvings, you will find burial grounds and cult places. The ancient art galleries depict both people and animals, and whole scenes from an ancient life.
Most of the petroglyphs belong to the Bronze Age by representing saksky “animal” style art. Different civilizations over centuries left traces of their existence and Kazakhstan history. Today, canyon rocks and narrow valleys of the Tamgaly keep value of a sanctuary — a place where ancient ritual ceremonies, magic ceremonies, worship Gods and ancestral spirits are depicted.
