A joint international team of archaeologists has discovered a rare Scythian ceremonial temple buried deep within a massive kurgan (burial mound) in the Altai region of Kazakhstan. Dating to the 4th century BCE, the Temple of the Winged Stallion served as a sacred site for ritual offerings and celestial observations by the nomadic Scythian tribes.
The structure is unique for its circular layout and central altar made of polished white marble, which is not local to the region. Surrounding the altar, researchers found dozens of gold votive objects, including figurines of winged horses and intricate jewelry. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that Scythians were purely nomadic, suggesting they built permanent or semi-permanent sacred monuments at significant geographical crossroads.