Anthropological research in Kazakhstan reveals significant insights into the social standing of women in ancient nomadic societies. Ramazan Zhanuzak, an anthropologist at the Alkey Margulan Institute of Archaeology, reported on discoveries from Saka and Turkic period burials.
In 2013, the grave of the "Urdzhar Princess," dating back to the 5th-4th centuries B.C., was unearthed in the East Kazakhstan Region. The woman, who died at 30-35 years old, exhibited intentional cranial deformation, a practice possibly linked to infant cradles. Researchers observed that her facial features bear resemblance to modern Kazakh women.
In the Turkistan Region, remains of a 35-40-year-old woman from the early Iron Age were found with evidence of postmortem trepanation, likely for mummification. Zhanuzak suggests this was to preserve the body for mourning rituals.
Excavations in the Zhetysu Region uncovered a woman's burial alongside a horse, bronze mirror, rings, and a necklace, indicating her elevated social status.