The opening ceremony of the national exhibition "New Discoveries in Kazakhstan's Archaeology – 2025" was held at the Presidential Center of the DPA RK. The exhibition was organized by the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly with the A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology. This project is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence.
The event included speeches by State Counselor of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Karin, Director of the A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology Ongaruly Akan, and Corresponding Member of the Archaeological Institute of Germany, Doctor of Historical Sciences Zeinolla Samashev.
Alongside the results of recent research by the A.H. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, the exhibition features unique archaeological artefacts from the collections of the country's leading museums and scientific organizations. Specifically, the exhibition includes rare items from the collections of the Atyrau, Kyzylorda, Akmola, and Ulytau Regional History and Local History Museums, the Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, the H.A. Yasawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, the Esik State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, and the Center for the Protection, Restoration, and Use of Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Akimat of Turkestan.
The exhibition systematically presents historical periods in Kazakhstan. It presents the latest scientific findings, from the anthropogenesis of the Stone Age and the settlement of ancient peoples in ancient Kazakhstan to the development of mining in the Bronze Age, the development of nomadic societies of the Saka period, and the evolution of medieval cities and urban culture. The exhibition will showcase for the first time the results of field research conducted in 2025, data obtained through international joint projects, and research published in prestigious international scientific journals. It will also feature unique archaeological finds never before exhibited, including:
The Mystery of the Taisogan Sands (Atyrau Region): Chalcolithic (5th millennium BC). For the first time, artefacts from the Khvalynsk culture will be on display at the exhibition. These include rare necklaces made of polished stone bracelets and rare seashells.
Sarmatian Heritage (Atyrau Region, Kyzylkuginsky District): Unique items found at the Karabau and Karakuduk burial mounds, demonstrating the applied arts of nomadic tribes who lived 2,500 years ago. These exhibits testify to the high culture and craftsmanship of the nomadic Sarmatian tribes.
The oldest burials with chariots and heavy spearheads discovered in Saryarka are unique finds demonstrating the early development of military technology in the region. This complex of exhibits provides scientific evidence of the high level of ancient metallurgy and martial arts in the Saryarka steppe.
Rare objects from the Kangly period: ram promotes and jugs with zoomorphic handles, found at the Kultobe settlement and the Myntobe burial ground in the Turkestan region, reflect the distinctive culture of the Kangly period. Such unique objects allow for a deeper exploration of the everyday life and religious beliefs of this ancient people.
The exhibition also features monographs and scholarly articles published based on the latest research by the A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, introducing a wider audience to the ancient history of Kazakhstan.
A total of 23 books and approximately 300 exhibits are on display. The exhibition "New Discoveries in Kazakhstan's Archaeology – 2025" is an open scientific and cultural platform that fosters a deep understanding of the past and a focus on the future. This exhibition presents archaeology not simply as a characteristic of the past, but as a dynamic field of science that combines modern technologies and interdisciplinary research. This event, which embodies our shared historical and cultural heritage, will revive public awareness and become a golden bridge between national identity and scientific achievements.
The exhibition offers visitors thematic videos and multimedia information content. Specially prepared documentary and animation materials clearly demonstrate the progress of fieldwork in 2025, the stages of excavations, the processes of 3D reconstruction, and scientific analysis. Interactive screens present digital models of archaeological sites, excavation stratigraphy, and the results of laboratory research and international projects. This format allows the exhibition to be perceived not as a static display, but as a scientific and educational space, complemented by modern technologies.
The exhibition will run until March 4, 2026. Admission is free.
