Cult Complex of the 14<sup>th</sup> century on Zhaiyk Site in the Western Kazakhstan
Western Kazakhstan is a rather poorly studied region of the Golden Horde. Until recently, only two settlements, i.e. Saraychik and Tendykskoe, were identified in the lower reaches of the Ural River. The Ural archeological expedition found a large settlement of Zhaiyk near the city of Uralsk. Large-scale excavations in the early 2000s revealed four large estates, a public bath, industrial complexes and two richly decorated mausoleums. At present, the excavations continue. In 2013, a cult funerary complex with a round tower mausoleum was investigated at Zhaiyk. Such tombs are known in Iran, Azerbaijan and Asia Minor and were widespread in Kazakhstan in the Middle Ages and modern times. Researchers relate tower mausoleums to burial mounds of the nomads. Two small buildings stood on both sides of the Zhaiyk mausoleum, and stone stelae were set in the ground in front of it. The complex was fenced off. This funerary complex, though located in the city necropolis, is closely related to the nomadic milieu.