Kenkol Bölgesinde Hun Kurganları ve Kültürü

Abstract

Kurgans are old Turkish tombs. These are one of the most prominent elements of Turkish culture and Turkish belief system. Many characteristic information concerning social life, economics, livelihood, religious belief, rituals and perception of afterworld of Turkish people, and geography's impact, on Turkish people can be reached by means of artifacts obtained from these tombs. In this study conducted on the basis of historical science, the main discipline from which assistance was received is archeology. Present historical and etnographic information with information obtained from archaeological data were crosschecked. Asian Huns founded the first empire of Turkish origin in Inner Asia and became the representative of equestrian-nomadic culture in the vast geography they dominated. A political and cultural unity was constituted along with the Huns. A steppe empire based on solid foundations can be observed when the elements are examined. The primary aim of this study is to express Hun culture and kurgan tradition in a clear and understandable manner. The main method in this study is to explain the process that led to the construction of kurgans in these early periods of Inner Asian history within the Huns. The first element that shaped the process was geographical conditions. The nomadic lifestyle that is developed under these conditions determines the understanding of the art and religious beliefs. Burial traditions and kurgan tombs were originated within the religious system. Each of them intertwined and give birth to each other as rings of the chain. The example of "Kenkol" located in the western region of the Tien Shan Mountains was examined as a result of the development of Hun kurgan. One of the most important regions of Hun geography in terms of religion, politic and culture is the Tien Shan Mountains. The Tien Shan Mountains range, which have the highest peaks of the region, has become an important place in terms of ground-water spirits and mountain cult. The most important Hun cultural center in this area is Kenkol.