Kent Range ( Kazakh : Кент тауы ) is a range of mountains in Karkaraly District , Karaganda Region , Kazakhstan .
54-594: Karkaraly city lies 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the northwest of the northern slopes of the Kent Mountains. Part of the range is included in the Karkaraly National Park , a protected area established in 1998. The Kent section of the park has a surface of 40,901 hectares (101,070 acres). There are archaeological remains of an ancient city, dating back to the late Bronze Age in the Kent Mountains. There are also ruins allegedly belonging to
108-778: A 17th century Buddhist lamasery of the time of Buddhism in Kazakhstan , the Kyzyl Kent site. The ruins are located in a small valley surrounded by rocky slopes. The Kent Range is one of the subranges of the Kazakh Upland system (Saryarka). It rises to the southeast of the Karkaraly Range . The roughly 25 kilometers (16 mi) wide intermontane basin where the Taldy river flows northwards separates both ranges. The Bakty Range rises 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) to
162-581: A full set of teeth developing by around six months. By the time their teeth develop, lambs are capable grazers, but the ewes continue nursing them from August to May of the following year. Most argali live five to 10 years, but are capable of living 13 years in the wild. Adult argali eat 16–19 kg (35–42 lb) of food a day. The vegetation preferred by the species varies based on elevation and area. In higher elevations, they predominantly eat grasses , sedges , and forbs . At midelevation habitats, they more regularly feed on bushes and mesophyte grasses . In
216-463: A home, the wooden building housed a trading company named “Kuzmin and Derov”. On November 6, 1890, Rayzantseva bought the building for 600 rubles. In 1920 the house was purchased by the state. The building housed various Soviet institutions, including schools. In 2004, this house became the district's library , which it still is today. The Monument of the 78 Communists is a monument in the town center of Karkaraly dedicated to townspeople who died during
270-723: A local population, against around 20% adult males and a further 20% young argali. Some rams are solitary, but most are seen in small herds numbering between three and 30 individuals. Females and their young live in larger groups, regularly up to 92 individuals and exceptionally to 200 animals. Migrating herds, especially males, have been reported. Most migration appear to be related to seasonally decreased food sources, though an overabundance of biting insects, especially horseflies , severe drought or fires, poaching by humans, and large numbers of domestic livestock may also trigger movements. With their long legs, herds can travel quickly from place to place. Argali tend to live at higher elevations during
324-560: A possibly predatory manner and remains of argali lambs have been observed in golden eagle nests. Smaller predators, such as raptorial birds and smaller mammalian carnivores, are attacked by mother ewes, but in the presence of larger predators, the ewes quickly run away with the lambs following them. The argali is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List . It is hunted for its meat and horns, which are used in traditional traditional Chinese medicine , and poaching continues to be
378-716: A salt-and-pepper pattern. The back is darker than the sides, which gradually lighten in color. The face, tail and the buttocks are yellowish-white. The male has a whitish neck ruff and a dorsal crest and is usually slightly darker in color than the female. Males have two large corkscrew shaped horns, some measuring 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) in total length and weighing up to 23 kg (51 lb). Males use their horns for competing with one another. Females also carry horns, but they are much smaller, usually measuring less than 60 cm (24 in) in total length. Currently, nine argali subspecies are recognized: Genetic analysis of mtDNA of several argali subspecies has shown that
432-450: Is Mount Kent , a 1,469 meters (4,820 ft) high summit. Other important peaks are Dongal (1,188 meters (3,898 ft)), Naizatas (1,293 meters (4,242 ft)), Zhamantau (1,411 meters (4,629 ft)) and Bosaga (1,066 meters (3,497 ft)). There are numerous rock formations within the area of the range. The forested areas of the range are mostly located on the western side. They include pine , birch , aspen and willow . There
486-552: Is as well low vegetation made up of steppe shrubs and sedges . Karkaraly Karkaraly ( Kazakh : Қарқаралы , Qarqaraly ) ( Russian : Каркаралинск , Karkaralinsk ), also known as Karkaralinsk , is the capital of the Karkaraly District in the Karaganda Region of Kazakhstan . Permanent settlement in the area began as a Cossack settlement, which evolved into a Kazakh cultural center due to
540-458: Is home to 122 species of birds, 45 species of mammals, 6 species of reptile and 2 amphibian species. A number of species in the park are listed in Kazakhstan's Red Book of protected species, including the argali , the black stork , and the golden eagle . The Karkaraly and Kent Mountains are well known for their unique rock formations and "hidden" mountain lakes. Hiking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, photo safari and cultural guides by
594-479: The Andronovo culture (18th-14th centuries BC) have been discovered. In one case, a cemetery was found with two tombs inside a stone fence. Stone coffins were found at a depth of one meter. In the tomb were also pots, items made of bronze, an axe, arrowheads, knives, female adornments, and items made of gold, bone and stone. The Akimek Settlement in the Kent Mountains has been one of the most investigated sites in
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#1732798731563648-680: The Kazakh Steppes , helping Karkaraly attract the attention of many who were interested in Kazakh arts. Major cultural figures who visited Karkaraly during the time of the Russian Empire included Abai Kunanbaev , Shoqan Walikhanov , Mikhail Prishvin , Grigory Potanin , Aleksandr Zatayevich , and Mukhtar Auezov . During the 1920s and 1930s, a number of people in Karkaraly fell victim to political repression and starvation, which
702-518: The Koyandy Fair and stayed in “the dark blue house” that belonged to a local family. The house was constructed without nails. M. Auezov describes Abai's stay in Qarqaraly in the novel “The Way of Abai.” Currently the building is the town's music school. The Kunanbay Mosque is a wooden mosque built in the town in 1851. This mosque was financed by the father of Abai Kunabaev, who served as
756-419: The Koyandy Fair which took place in the town. Its population was 9,212 as of 2009. A local legend suggests that the name is derived from the term Qarqara [ kk ] , a decorative Kazakh headpiece. According to the legend, long ago a beautiful girl dropped her qarqara in the area that is now Karkaraly. Her search was in vain and the qarqara remained on the steppe. The legend states that though
810-494: The Mongolian word for wild sheep. It is the largest species of wild sheep. Argali stand 85 to 135 cm (3 to 4 ft) high at the shoulder and measure 136 to 200 cm (4 to 7 ft) long from the head to the base of the tail. The female, or ewe is the smaller sex by a considerable margin, sometimes weighing less than half as much as the male, or ram . The ewes can weigh from 43.2 to 100 kg (95 to 220 lb) and
864-558: The 19th century, largely due to the famous Koyandy Fair , which served as a major economic and cultural gathering throughout the Kazakh Steppes . This helped attract a number of famous intellectuals to visit. Shoqan Walikhanov , a Kazakh ethnographer and historian , visited the town twice and wrote a piece on the local culture. The town is said to have inspired a number of works by Mikhail Prishvin , who visited in 1909. Russian ethnographer Grigory Potanin visited Karkaraly in 1913 to study Kazakh folklore. Aleksandr Zatayevich visited
918-435: The 2009 Kazakhstani Census, Karkaraly was recorded as having a population of 9,212, up from the 8,773 recorded in 1999. Of the 9,212 people living in the town, 4,491 of them were men, and 4,721 were women. The main sectors of Karkaraly's economy include agriculture, mining, and tourism. The following ore deposits have all been found and mined in the area: barite , iron , copper , gold , molybdenum , and tungsten . In
972-845: The Altai and Gobi argalis grouped closely with the urial subspecies O. vignei bochariensis , while the Karaganda and Kara Tau argalis grouped with the urial subspecies O. vignei arkal . Argali range from central Kazakhstan in the west to the Shanxi Province in China in the east and from the Altai Mountains in the north to the Himalayas to the south. They are a species of mountainous areas, living from elevations of 300 to 5,800 m (980 to 19,030 ft). In protected areas,
1026-724: The Andronovo people created the Begazy-dandybai culture. In the Kent Mountains, 12 settlements and 10 cemeteries have been uncovered. The ancient city of Kent was also uncovered. Kent is the biggest settlement from the Bronze Age known in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The settlement was 30 hectares large and was home to 1,000 people. The town was divided into streets and quarters, including a quarter for metallurgists in which copper and bronze artifacts have been found. Most likely
1080-405: The Karkaraly area. The people were also engaged in hoe-mattock agriculture. The metallurgy of the Bronze Age was highly advanced. Andronovo people were of European descent and are the most ancient genetic ancestors of the Kazakh people. DNA tests have revealed that 60% of the tested remains had light hair and blue or green eyes. During the late Bronze Age (13th–9th centuries BC), successors of
1134-452: The Karkaraly mountains, nearly 100 minerals can be found, including: smoky topaz , crystal, chalcopyrite , azurite , chalcedony , and malachite . Significant reserves of building materials are also in the area: granite, marble, limestone, gypsum, gravel, pebbles and sand. Also along numerous lakes are large deposits of mud which are used medicinally in spas. Since Soviet times, Karkaraly National Park has drawn considerable tourism to
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#17327987315631188-412: The air, exerting enough force to be heard up to 800 m (2,600 ft) away. Often, the older males (over six years of age), which are also often the largest, end up the dominant ones and younger males are chased off once the ewes are in estrus . Once dominance is established, the top rams begin approaching ewes and smell their urine to determine their receptiveness . The ram then repeatedly approaches
1242-406: The area's governor from 1849 to 1853. Permission for the construction was granted in 1847 by the heads of the 16 surrounding townships and stamped by Sultan Kusbeka Taukeuly. At the time of construction, the town only had blueprints for a church. This is the reason why the mosque looks remarkably like a church in design. At the mosque a madrasas was built, which is housing for students and home for
1296-421: The area. It also belonged to the Andronovo people. They raised cattle and established settlements along bodies of waters. Settlements were small and usually consisted of houses erected of stone and wood. They focused mainly on raising cows, instead of sheep and horses. They had wheeled transport, including chariots. The remains of a fighting chariot have been found in the tomb of an Andronovo soldier, excavated in
1350-593: The beautiful karkara was lost, the beauty of the land will remain forever. The town of Karkaraly is nestled against the Karkaraly Range , by the Karkaraly river. Karagaily , a mining town, lies 17 kilometers (11 mi) to the northeast. The forests and mountains of Karkaraly have been protected by various government agencies since 1884. In 1998, these lands were reorganized as the Karkaraly National Park . The park encompasses 90,323 hectares, and includes large amounts of forests and mountains. Karkaraly National Park
1404-534: The communists'. On April 6, 700 wagons carrying 2,500 people entered Karkaraly, where there were only 50 Red Army soldiers and about 60 Communists. The Communists, while gathered for an emergency meeting in the People's House, were arrested, interrogated, tortured, and then killed. 78 people were killed in 6 days. On April 12, the rebels left town two days before the arrival of detachments from the Red Army. On April 23,
1458-457: The detachment, including volunteers from Pavlodar (550 bayonets and 70 swords), overtook the rebels 180 km southeast of Karkaraly. A battle took place and the rebels fled to China. In autumn of 1921, an agreement with the Chinese authorities allowed the 13th Caucasian division of the Red Army to cross the border. They defeated and captured the remaining members of the gang. In May 1922 a trail
1512-465: The early Soviet times. In the spring of 1921, after being defeated near the city of Akmola, an armed detachment of rebels led by Captain Tokarev retreated south-east to the border of China. Along the way they attacked communist party and government officials and led an anti-communism campaign, using propagandist slogans such as 'down with the appropriation of surpluses' and 'long live the soviets without
1566-487: The ewe and forcibly mounts her. Mating commences around two to three weeks after the rutting begins. Rams may remain in the company of ewes for up to two months after the rutting period is complete. The gestation period lasts a little over 165 days. Births occur in late March or April, with a variable number of females being barren. Most subspecies give birth to a single lamb, though in some races, twins are not uncommon and even as many as five have been born at once. At birth,
1620-458: The inhabitants of Kent were skilled metallurgists. Huge furnaces have been found for the purpose of creating bronze. Excavations of Kent have amazed archeologist with an abundance of bronze products and unusual artifacts. Researchers now guess the area was inhabited for 200–300 years. Kent is believed to have been an important political and economical regional center (ceramics found in Kent prove that
1674-588: The lambs weigh 2.7–4.6 kg (6.0–10.1 lb). The newborn lamb and mother ewe stay around where the birth occurs overnight and, on the next day, both usually walk together. Lambs often play in groups, jumping up and down together, sometimes being joined by their mothers. Weight gain is often quite fast and the lambs may weigh 10 times their birth weight by their first birthday. Females often attain their maximum mass by two years of age, but males appear to continue to grow larger and heavier in their third and fourth years. Milk teeth develop around three months of age, with
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1728-673: The lowest ranges and the spurs of deserts, grasses and sedges again predominate, but often of different species than the high-elevation ones. In north-central Kazakhstan, sprouts, leaves, flowers, and fruits are significant to the diet all year, whereas they appear to be a rare dietary supplement over the rest of the range. Water is needed by argali, which is rarely a problem for animals living at high elevation, where melting snow and small waterways are regularly encountered. In drier climes, argali may travel several kilometers in search of water. When available, argali readily consume saline soil. Although they are locally sympatric with Siberian ibex ,
1782-526: The memorial read in Russian and Kazakh: “Eternal glory to our local countrymen who fell in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.” Argali Capra ammon Linnaeus, 1758 The argali ( Ovis ammon ), also known as the mountain sheep , is a wild sheep native to the highlands of western East Asia , the Himalayas , Tibet , and the Altai Mountains . The name 'argali' is
1836-401: The mosque served as a meeting spot for trade unions, a meeting spot for pioneer meetings, and as a library. The mosque was restored after Kazakhstan gained its independence. Grigory Potanin , a famous Russian traveler, visited Karkaraly in 1913 to study Kazakh folklore. During his time in Karkaraly, Potanin stayed in a house that belonged a local merchant surnamed Ryazantsev. Before it was
1890-447: The mountains where snow cover is not heavy during the winter, following winds that blow snow off the earth. Rams are generally found at higher elevations more regularly than females and stay at higher elevations longer during the winter. Argalis live in herds typically numbering between two and 150 animals, segregated by sex, except during breeding season. Most populations show large numbers of adult females, constituting more than half of
1944-502: The mullahs (Islamic clergy). The mosque served as a place to educate children and the spread the word of Islam in the Karkaraly District. Kunanbaya Mosque is perhaps one of the first mosques in the northern regions of Kazakhstan. Initially it was a log building, but later face boards were put on it. For years the mosque was the site of Muslim teachings. The minaret of the mosque was destroyed in 1920. During Soviet times,
1998-500: The national park, and swimming in the mountains lakes are all popular activities for tourists. Like other places in the Kazakh Steppes, Karkaraly's climate is characterized by long, cold winters, and hot summers. Temperatures typically remain below freezing from November through March. The summer months of June through August, often sees daily temperatures exceeding 25 °C, as well as more precipidation than other parts of
2052-429: The national park, but these sites have been investigated far less. Another famous archeological site, from more recent times, is the mid-17th century Dzungar monastery, in the Kent Mountains. The name of the monument is “Kyzyl Kensh Palace", which means "red ore" or "red city". According to scientists, the monastery was inhabited for as much as 50 years. In the 19th century an ethnographic expedition from Tsarist Russia
2106-532: The northeast, the Keshubai to the south, and Mount Ku 60 kilometers (37 mi) to the NNE. The range stretches roughly from north to south for about 35 kilometers (22 mi). The ridges rise between 300 meters (980 ft) and 500 meters (1,600 ft) above the surrounding steppe; they are cut by deep ravines and valleys with scree slopes. The larger Kyzyltas range rises to the southwest. The highest point
2160-472: The palace. Present-day Karkaraly began with the construction of a fortress in 1824, which developed into a Cossack settlement by 1827. In 1868, Karkaraly was incorporated as a town, and became the capital of a Tsarist district, which formed part of the Semipalatinsk Region. The town was home to the famous Koyandy Fair , which served as a major economic and cultural gathering throughout
2214-456: The rams typically from 97 to 328 kg (214 to 723 lb), with a maximum reported mass of 356 kg (785 lb). The Pamir argali (also called Marco Polo sheep , for they were first described by that traveler), O. a. polii , is the largest race on average, regularly measuring more than 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) long without the tail, and is less sexually dimorphic in body mass than most other subspecies. The argali has relatively
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2268-537: The rocks into unique shapes. People have lived in the Karkaraly area since ancient times. The earliest archeological finds connected with ancient people dates back to the Paleolithic (or Stone) Age. Artifacts such as knives, scrapers, and spear heads have been found within what is now Karkaraly National Park . Archeological sites from the Bronze Age have been investigated more. Artifacts and cemeteries from
2322-415: The settlement had numerous commercial and political contacts with western Siberia, Central Asia, Xinjiang and Iran). It is also believed that the inhabitants of Kent did not have a system of writing. The ancient city of Kent is currently located in Karkaraly National Park . Archeological sites from the early Iron Age (8th-7th centuries BC to 1st century AD) have also been found throughout the territory of
2376-468: The shortest tail of any wild goat-antelope or sheep , with reported tail lengths of 9.5–17 cm (3.7–6.7 in). The general coloration varies between each animal, from a light yellow to a reddish-brown to a dark grey-brown. Argali or nyan from the Himalayas are usually relatively dark, whereas those from Russian ranges are often relatively pale. In summertime, the coat is often lightly spotted with
2430-511: The species generally prefers gently sloping areas with soft broken terrain, although ewes with lambs often take up residence in more precipitous areas, characterized by canyons and jagged rocks. In areas where they are extensively hunted (such as Kazakhstan), they are more likely to be found in forested areas. In parts of China and Russia where they compete for resources with numerous domestic stock, argali more regularly take up residence in precipitous, jagged areas. Argali may search for regions in
2484-463: The summer. Argali reach breeding maturity at two to three years of age. Rutting may occur from October to mid-January, generally lasting longer in lower elevations. In rutting herds, both rams and ewes attack others of their own sex, exerting dominance by ramming each other with their horns. Although such groups engage in lamb-like play, the combat of a pair of mature males is a serious business. The rams slam into each other, with their fore legs up in
2538-618: The town honors via a monument in the town center. When World War II broke out, many from Karkaraly enlisted in the Red Army , with four of the towns residents earning the honor Hero of the Soviet Union , and one additional resident earning the Order of Lenin . A monument in the town's park honors those who served during the war. During Soviet times, many industrial workers and young pioneers would vacation in and around Karkaraly. In
2592-484: The town to collect traditional Kazakh songs. Writer and activist Mukhtar Auezov also visited the town shortly after the Alash Autonomy declared independence. Famous Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbaev was also known to frequent Karkaraly. Abai Kunanbaev (1845–1904) was a famous Kazakh poet, founder of the modern Kazakh literature, and composer. As a child, Аbai Kunanbaev traveled through this area on his way to
2646-402: The town. In addition to tourists, many researchers and students travel to Karkaraly to study the region's ecology and archeological sites. Economic development has been hindered by poor infrastructural links, particularly in regards to the area's roads. The local government has stated that they are working on improving the town's infrastructure. Karkaraly emerged as a cultural center during
2700-582: The two species have differing habitat and pasture preferences, reducing likely competition. In Tibet , the argali must regularly compete with other grazing species for pasture, including Tibetan antelope , bharal , Thorold's deer and wild yaks . Competition is most serious with livestock, especially domestic yaks and domestic sheep , with which argali are frequently forced to intermingle and from which they often catch diseases and parasites. The main predators of argali are Himalayan wolves , which often exploit harsh winter conditions (such as deep snow) to capture
2754-468: The wild sheep, though they can and do take specimens of any age or condition year around. Snow leopards and leopards are also predators of argali of any age. Eurasian lynx and wolverines may seldom kill argali to at least the size of winter-weakened ewes. Red foxes and domestic dogs (largely those kept by sheep-herders) will prey on lambs. Cinereous vultures , lammergeiers and golden eagles have been observed circling herds of ewes with lambs in
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#17327987315632808-476: The year. In the Paleozoic Age (250–300 million years ago), this area of Kazakhstan was an inland sea. The water retreated 1.2 to 2 million years ago, when the ancient Paleozoic shield was cracked by granite. The area lifted and created the Kent and Karkaraly Mountains. The rocks and cliffs have been here ever since and for many thousands of years the untamable steppe wind and precipitation has sculpted
2862-460: Was conducted in the Kent Mountains. During this time period, part of the complex was still standing. One two-story building was almost untouched and one could see red paint on some of the inner walls. The ceiling was propped up by six wooden columns, carved and covered with gold paint. Unfortunately, after this period, the palace was destroyed for logs and stone. The ruins are now inside Karkaraly National Park and some efforts have been made to restore
2916-632: Was held in Krasnoyarsk. Captain Tokarev and the other gang members were shot to death. In the town park of Karkaraly, a monument named the Mourning Mother Memorial honors those that the town lost during World War II . The monument is next to an obelisk named “Fighting Glory”, which consists of an obelisk in the form of a bayonet (8 meters tall) next to an eternal flame. Next to this is a woman wearing traditional dress, sadly holding her hands in front of her. Two stones in front of
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