Today, only faint earthworks and scattered artifacts remain of the ancient city of Semiyarka, concealed beneath the grasses of the Kazakh Steppe—a vast plain stretching across northern Kazakhstan and into Russia. Yet recent archaeological efforts have uncovered that 3,500 years ago, this landscape was a vibrant urban center, bustling with metalworking activities and serving as a crossroads where nomadic herders, traders, and settled artisans interacted.

Led by Dr. Miljana Radivojevic from University College London, archaeologists employed drone technology and ground-penetrating radar to map a 140-hectare site. The city, dubbed Semiyarka or “City of Seven Ravines,” featured organized residential areas, a major central building, and workshops where artisans smelted and cast bronze—indicating a sophisticated metallurgical industry.

Per Radivojevic, the city’s strategic location atop a promontory provided commanding views of the Irtysh River valley, likely offering control over transportation routes and regional trade. This discovery reshapes our understanding of Bronze Age urban development in Central Asia, emphasizing the importance of strategic geography and technological innovation during this period.