American archaeologist with fluent Kazakh discovers coral and pearls at an archaeological site in Zhetysu

Dr. Steven Gilbert has returned to Zhetysu to continue archaeological excavations, and this time he reported a discovery that surprised even experienced colleagues.

Pearls and coral were found at the Ile Balyk archaeological site - items that could have reached the steppe region only through long-distance trade routes.

The archaeologist noted that the settlement was located at the intersection of Silk Road routes. According to him, during its period of prosperity, the settlement was home to approximately 20,000 people and served as a significant trade and craft center for its time.

How the excavations began

Gilbert first began conducting excavations at Ile Balyk in 2019. By that time, he had already lived in Kazakhstan for several years, worked as the director of a humanitarian organization, and taught English. At the same time, he had acquired such a strong command of the Kazakh language that he later began giving interviews himself, without an interpreter.

Gilbert and his American colleagues became interested in the archaeological site because of evidence of early Christianity discovered in the area. This discovery attracted the attention of international research institutions and subsequently became the basis for a long-term archaeological expedition.

Everyone is impressed by his Kazakh

A video of Gilbert speaking went viral on social media almost immediately after its publication. Users commenting on the video noted that his pronunciation is better than of some native Kazakh speakers from Kazakhstan’s major cities.

Many observers noted that Gilbert speaks Kazakh fluently, without an interpreter, selecting words naturally and with the confidence of someone who had grown up in a Kazakh-speaking environment.

Maritime treasures in the seppe

This time, the archaeologist reported that genuine maritime trade goods had been discovered within the cultural layer of Ile Balyk. Pearls and coral most likely reached the site through caravan trade routes that transported goods from coastal regions of Asia located thousands of kilometers from the sea.

From the perspective of the settlement’s history, these finds are significant because they provide evidence that Ile Balyk was connected not only to local trade networks but also to long-distance international trade routes. Such a combination of imported goods would typically indicate the presence of affluent residents who could afford imported ornaments.