Stone City of Yorgemsur Kuniz

The Stone City of Yorgemsur Kuniz, also known as Kerr sezhyaga, is an archaeological city located in the south western section of the Yorgemsur Kurniz province in Katamur. The majority of the city is built into the cliffs of the Skatasu mountains with very few (known) buildings outside. The city is believed to have been the capital of the Imumur kingdom of Taukram, a powerful nation in Southern Katamur. The city was an important center of trade, connecting the coastal trade with trade north of the Kunemya pass making it one of the wealthiest cities of its time on the peninsula. The wealth was further expanded by the cities fame for stone-carving, with one statue, The Champion of Taukram, considered a masterpiece of Antiquity sculpting by the global artistic community. The city reached it's peak at the time of the height of the Taukram kingdom in the mid 100's BC where the population peaked around ~26,000 along with the completion of The Mountains Epic, a holy site with an ancient Imumurian legend carved across the walls of the temple. The city, and the kingdom itself, would collapse in it's entirety in 42 AC after the pale Blight wiped much of the kingdoms population along with the wars preceding it. The city would be lost and disappear into obscurity for over a thousand years before it's rediscovery in 1368 AC, after a group of hikers stumbled upon it.

Today, The Stone city is a major tourist attraction, attracting over 700,000 tourists in 1609 alone. The city covers an area of approximately 16km2 and is surrounded by a larger 50km2 area that has been declared a natural preservation region, with the only buildings present being for the continued preservation of the site, and tourism. The city is often regarded as a "perfect window into the past of the Imumur people at a time where they dominated the south-east", and is the cultural hallmark of the Imumur identity. Since early January, Access to the city and it's preservation region has been restricted to investigate concerns of risk to the continued preservation of the site. Official sources promise the reopening of the city in mid September with enhanced protections to the city and it's area.

History
Before it was carved into the mountains, it is speculated the area was a major site of foot traffic between the coast and the interior, being the only part of the mountain for kilometres that is under 500m. Erosion and other signs of age date the earliest carvings around the late 500's BC, these carvings were practical in nature, showing various numbers of items traded, leading to assumptions of the cities origin to traders who saw intrinsic value in the area. The carvings would grow to be more stylized many years later with the earliest of these dating to c. 470 BC. The discovery of sliver ore deposits nearby would launch the small community into a major hub. Production of coinage can be seen to have properly developed in late 430's BC and from records of surrounding settlements, was around the time of an established government in the area. The beginnings of the Kingdom of Taukram is believed to have been made at this time, later expanding as far south as the coast in the coming centuries.

Over this time the City expanded. The amount of buildings and carvings grow in frequency as Taukram grew with majority, if not all, of the most famous structures were built during the Taukram golden age between c. 161-122 BC. The carved rooms at this time were lavishly designed, with many intricacies within them. This is often considered the peak of Imumur culture. Many descendants still using patterns and designs seen carved out in these buildings. The City is believed to have reached it's peak in c. 147 BC, after the construction of the The Mountains Epic was completed along with the Buried Palace, the throne room and tomb of the kings of Taukram. The golden age would end after a major defeat to a rival kingdom in the south resulted in the loss of their remaining coastal territory. By the beginning of the 1st Century AC, Taukram was looking in danger, and the design of the city showed it. Many of the surviving constructions (majority of this time collapsed, possibly due to poor construction) lacked the same quality as older buildings, rougher edges and less stylizing. The city would lay abandoned and forgotten after the Pale Blight of 42 AC wiped out half the population, the remaining fleeing away from the infection.

The city would be rediscovered in 1368, when Ukami and Nkasu Yerbana, along with a 4 other experienced hikers, found the city while charting the region. The city soon became very popular, especially among the Imumur people, who regarded it as a centerpiece of their culture. The city and surroundings would become a protected territory in 1513 under the Yorgemsur Kuniz Province. Since then the city has grown to be a national landmark and attracts tourists all around the world. In January 1610, access to the city was restricted for the first time ever. Conservationists were concerned for the well-being of the site and general safety after a partial collapse of a hallway. It is expected for the city to reopen sometime late 1610.

The following is a list and short description of noteworthy buildings and structures that are or were located at the stone city upon discovery.

 * Statues of the Pantheon: A collection of 8 statues in varying quality located within the ruins of a collapsed temple. The statues all represent deities of the old Imumur religion. The gods depicted were suspected to have been deities of fertility, growth, harvest, and healing. of the 8 statues:
 * 3 in pristine/ near pristine condition
 * 3 have major damages, commonly missing arms, legs, and/or pieces of the head
 * 2 in nearly destroyed states, with only the upper chest remaining partially intact


 * The Mountains Epic: a temple with interior walls almost completely covered in engravings, suspected to relate to the ancient legend of the same name. The carvings collectively extend from start to finish to around 30m. Closer investigation showed the carvings were colored in various pigments.


 * The Sunken Mausoleum: Built at the lowest excavated section of the city, The tight, long hall is flanked on both sides by stone covers with bodies placed behind them. Each cover is marked with 3 symbols. they describe the deceased's position (career/profession), cause of death, and their patron deity. The mausoleum was reserved for higher members of Taukram society while monarch's were buried elsewhere at the Buried Palace.


 * The Buried Palace: The residence of the monarch of the kingdom of Taukram. The Palace had 3 distinctive floors with the upper floor being related to public activities as well as possessing the throne room. Lower floors provided residence, with a private pool located below. The final floor was used as a cemetery where all previous monarchs laid in rest.