Steppe Geoglyphs

The Steppe Geoglyphs are a number of Neolithic earth constructions in  the Turgay Trough area of Turgai in northern Kazakhstan.  There are at least 260 of these earthworks.

Many  or all of them are smaller earthworks  (mounds, trenches and ramparts) arranged with each other to make geometric and other shapes (composite figures).   These shapes are squares, rings and three others.  The composite figures range from  slightly under 90 m in length to over 400 m in diameter. http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec53991/htm
Besides being made of earth dug out and piled up, some of the geoglyphs are made by placing stones next to each other. 

Some of the large shapes have been given names, including Bestamskoe Ring, Ushtogaysky (or Ushtogay) Square, Turgay triradial swastika, Large cross Ashtasti, Ekedyn cross, Ashutasti ring, Kyzyloba line, Koga cross, and Shili square. 

Optical dating (optically stimulated luminescence)  was used to get a date for these structures. The results indicate that they date between eight and one thousand years ago. http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec53991/07-018.htm

The earthworks were discovered in 2007 by Dimitriy Dey.  He found them when he was looking at Google Earth. He had been looking for pyramids or similar structures in Kazakhstan. The geoglyphs were first reported to the scientific community in 2014.

Road construction in 2013 damaged one of the structures. 

References

Additional sources
 Turgay Discovery Research project
 NASA photographs from space 
 Daily Gadget Gizmodo Reviews: Mystery of the ancient patterns in Kazakhstan: Space images reveal ‘remarkable’ structures including a cross and a swastika
 "The Steppe Geoglyphs in Kazakhstan". The Ancient Connection."The Steppe Geoglyphs in Kazakhstan". The Ancient Connection. Retrieved 2025-08-18.

Category:Geography of Kazakhstan