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In Istanbul, within the framework of the 17th International Istanbul Scientific Studies Congress, a presentation was delivered on the topic “ Sign system in the cultures of the Early Iron Age of the Kazakh Altai.”
The report highlighted the distinctive features of the sign system found on Early Iron Age archaeological sites in the Kazakh Altai, as well as the methods and results of its study from archaeological and semiotic perspectives. The main objective of the research program is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the sign system of the ancient nomads and to interpret it as an integral component of the cultural heritage of the Central Eurasian region.
In recent years, the Presidents of Turkey and Kazakhstan have attached particular importance to strengthening cooperation in the fields of history, culture, and science. The exchange of information on ongoing scientific projects contributes to the deepening of cultural and academic ties between the two countries.
The ancient history of the Altai region, rightfully regarded as the “Golden Cradle of the Turkic World,” represents a shared historical and cultural heritage of the entire Turkic community. From this perspective, the presented report is significant not only as an international validation of the research program’s results, but also as a contribution to the development of scientific and cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and Turkey.
https://berel-museum.kz/en/nauka/kalendar-sobytij.html#sigProId037d569833
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During the visit, meetings were held with professors from the Department of Archaeology at Kemerovo State University, as well as with specialists from the Museum of Archaeology, Ethnology, and Ecology of Siberia at Kemerovo State University – leading archaeologists of the Kemerovo region.
The museum’s scientific archive contains more than 900 volumes, including reports of archaeological expeditions conducted by the university’s staff since the 1960s, drawings and photographs of archaeological sites, monument passports, archaeologists’ field diaries, minutes of departmental meetings, and other materials.
As it was impossible to review the entire archive during the trip, materials from Kemerovo State University’s petroglyphic expeditions of various years were selected for analysis. These materials reflect the results of field research carried out in the regions of the Sayan-Altai, Central Asia, and the Northern Tien Shan.
The museum’s scientific archive has accumulated a unique corpus of data on petroglyphs from these regions. These collections make it possible to trace regional features of artistic techniques and iconography and to identify common characteristics of the worldview and symbolic thinking of ancient communities. The obtained information is of particular scientific value for comparative analysis with the petroglyph complexes of Eastern Kazakhstan.
The business trip continued in Barnaul, at the Department of Archaeology and the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of Altai State University, where working meetings were held with the department and museum staff.
It should be noted that the museum’s collection contains significant materials on the ancient and medieval history of the Altai region. During the work, the presence of archaeological complexes with tamga-like elements – stone enclosures, burial structures, groups of petroglyphs, and individual artifacts bearing sign images – was confirmed within the territory of the Altai Republic and adjacent regions. These materials are especially important for comparative analysis with finds from the Kazakh Altai in studying the continuity of the sign-communicative traditions of ancient nomads. As a result of the trip, new scientific materials were collected, and archives and collections of interest for further research on the sign systems of ancient nomads were identified. In addition, an agreement was reached to continue cooperation with Russian research centers in the exchange of field data, scholarly publications, and methodological developments.
The business trip coincided with the VII All-Russian Archaeological Congress in Krasnoyarsk, participation in which made it possible to present a research paper, discuss the results on a broad academic platform, and establish new professional contacts for further scholarly collaboration.
Visit to the Museum of Archaeology, Ethnology, and Ecology of Siberia at Kemerovo State University
Moments of the meeting and consultation between Research Associate B.A. Sirazheva, Head of the Department of Archaeology of Altai State University A.A. Tishkin, and Director of the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of Altai Y.V. Frolov, Barnaul
At the VII All-Russian Archaeological Congress, Krasnoyarsk
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Within the framework of the scientific program “BR22082478 – The Sign System in the Cultures of the Early Iron Age of the Kazakh Altai,” the research team of the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Berel” is conducting fieldwork aimed at documenting symbolic signs and tamgas of the ancient nomads of the Kazakh Altai.
The research covers the Ulan, Tarbagatai, Katon-Karagai, and Kurchum districts of the East Kazakhstan Region.
The results of the expedition will be presented in scientific reports and will also be widely disseminated through the mass media and social networks.
Project Leader: PhD, archaeologist Samat Kairollauly Samashev.
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Within the framework of the grant-funded scientific project AP23486716 – “The Sign System and Tamgas of the Kazakhs of the Altai”, the working group of the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Berel is conducting a large-scale ethno-archaeological expedition aimed at collecting and studying the tamga signs of the Kazakhs of the Altai.
The research encompasses the Ulan, Tarbagatai, Katon-Karagai, Kurshim, and Markakol districts of the East Kazakhstan Region, as well as the Kosh-Agach district of the Russian Federation (the photographs from Kosh-Agach were taken by journalist Merey Kainar).
The outcomes of the expedition will be presented in scientific reports and will also be widely disseminated through mass media and social networks.
Project Leader: PhD, archaeologist Samat Kairolyevich Samashev.
https://berel-museum.kz/en/nauka/kalendar-sobytij.html#sigProId2db3001855
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Within the framework of the grant-funded scientific project AP23486716 – “The Sign System and Tamgas of the Kazakhs of Altai,” implemented with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Acting Director of the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Berel” Mr. Almas Sarbasov and Research Fellow Ms. Bulbul Sirazheva undertook a working visit to Bayan-Ölgii aimag of Mongolia from 9 to 14 August of the current year.
The primary purpose of the mission was to conclude an agreement on the collection of materials related to tamgas characteristic of the Kazakhs of the region.
During the visit, meetings were held with the Governor of the aimag, Mr. Zangar Yesentaiuly, and the Director of the Bayan-Ölgii Museum, Ms. Aishagul Azamatkyzy. As a result of the negotiations, the draft agreement was finalized and submitted for official approval to the relevant state authorities of Mongolia.
Furthermore, in accordance with the project’s calendar plan for 2026, consultations were conducted in preparation for the forthcoming ethno-archaeological expedition with the Director of the Department for the Protection of the Altai Rock Art Complex of Mongolia, PhD Mr. Omirbek Bikumaruly, as well as with a Researcher of the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, tamga specialist PhD Mr. Shynarbek Seitkhanuly. The discussions focused on the proposed timeframe of the expedition, its main objectives, and the prospects for further joint research.
Official meeting with the Governor of Bayan-Ölgii aimag, Mr. Zangar Yesentaiuly
Official meeting with Ms. Aishagul Azamatkyzy, Director of the Bayan-Ölgii Museum
Official meeting with PhD Mr. Omirbek Bikumaruly, Director of the Department for the Protection of the Altai Rock Art Complex of Mongolia
Meeting with PhD Mr. Shynarbek Seitkhanuly, Research Fellow of the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, tamga specialist
Partner Institution – Bayan-Ölgii Aimag Museum
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On August 6, 2025, in the Katon-Karagay district of East Kazakhstan region, a scientific seminar “Symbolic Altai: Past and Present” was held. The event was organized on the basis of the results of the grant scientific project “AP23486716 – The Sign System and Tamgas of the Kazakhs of Altai”, implemented with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The seminar was dedicated to the issues of interdisciplinary research on historical and contemporary tamga signs of the Kazakhs of Altai. During the meeting, participants discussed the terminological accuracy of the concepts “tañba” and “nyshan”, their social, legal, and sacred functions, the preservation of historical tamgas in the ethnographic environment, regional features, and problems of ethnic identification. In addition, the seminar addressed the issues of introducing tamgas into scientific circulation and modern methods of digital documentation.
The main goal of the seminar was to present to the scientific community the results of archaeological and ethnographic expeditions, as well as the materials collected within the framework of the project.
Main presentations:
- Brief Report on the Implementation of the Scientific Project AP23486716 “The Sign System and Tamgas of the Kazakhs of Altai” – Samat Kairollaevich Samashev, PhD, archaeologist. State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Berel,” Katon-Karagay district, East Kazakhstan region, Kazakhstan;
- Tamgas of the Kazakhs of Altai – Shynarbek Seitkhanuly, PhD, tamga researcher. Institute of History and Ethnology, Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia;
- Kazakh Tamgas of Altai According to Archival Data – Gauhar Askarovna Kaldybaeva, Researcher, A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Almaty, Kazakhstan;
- The Cultural and Social Significance of the Terms “Tañba” and “Tamga” in Turkic Societies – Botakoz Yerbolkyzy Sataeva, PhD student, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Ankara, Turkey;
- The Sphere of Application of Tribal Tamgas of the Kazakhs – Otelbek Rizabekuly Shnanov, PhD student, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan;
- The Study of Kazakh Tribal Tamgas: Historiographical Aspect – Baurzhan Berkanuly Besetaev, Senior Lecturer, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan;
- Depictions of Scenes of Birds of Prey Fighting Snakes in the Kurgans of the Early Saka Period of Eastern Eurasia – Dr. Emre Sevinç, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Ankara, Turkey;
- The Sacred Meaning of Kazakh Tamgas – Oraz Sapashev, Istanbul University, Center for Eurasian Studies, Istanbul, Turkey.
https://berel-museum.kz/en/nauka/kalendar-sobytij.html#sigProId4d22d7c2ff
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On August 6, 2025, a scientific seminar titled “Tamga-bearing Altai: Past and Present” will be held in the Katon-Karagai district of East Kazakhstan Region. The seminar is organized based on the results of the grant-funded scientific project AP23486716 – “Sign system and tamgas of the Kazakhs of Altai”, implemented with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This seminar is dedicated to interdisciplinary research on the historical and contemporary signs and tamgas of the Kazakhs of Altai.
Topics for discussion:
- Definitions of key concepts: tamga, symbol, sign, and terminological precision;
- Social, legal, and sacred functions of signs and tamgas;
- Historical tamgas of the Kazakhs of Altai and their preservation in the modern ethnographic context;
- Regional features of the sign system and issues of ethnic identification;
- Introduction of signs into scholarly discourse and methods of digital documentation.
Seminar Objective:
To share the results of archaeological and ethnographic expeditions and to disseminate materials collected within the framework of the project to the broader academic community.
Goals:
- To systematize the concepts of “sign” and “symbol” and analyze their functions;
- To identify the role of the sign system in social organization, historical memory, and kinship structures;
- To propose modern approaches to scientific recording and digital documentation of data.
Participants:
Archaeologists, ethnologists, historians, art historians, students of relevant disciplines, and representatives of academic and museum institutions are invited to participate.
Registration contact:
Zhanar Elemesova
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+7 775 391 6646
We warmly invite all interested specialists to take part in the seminar!
Time: August 6, 2025, 02:00 PM Astana time
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89763864827?pwd=Fdx4hG86ZspdKbQB9fIbOn8tWbTUCj.1
Meeting ID: 897 6386 4827
Passcode: 473518
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On August 4, 2025, the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Berel (Katon-Karagai District, East Kazakhstan Region) hosted a scientific seminar entitled “Signs and Symbols of the Ancient Nomads of the Kazakh Altai.” The primary objective of the event was to reconsider the visual and communicative practices of early nomadic societies in light of contemporary archaeological data and semiotic approaches.
The program report was delivered by Dr. Samat Kairollaevich Samashev (PhD, archaeologist), project leader, who summarized the implementation and outcomes of the research initiative. The seminar was marked by active scholarly discussions involving researchers from Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Mongolia, which emphasized its international significance.
The proceedings underscored the importance of an integrated study of the sign-symbolic system of the ancient nomads, pointing to promising directions for further investigations in archaeology, cultural anthropology, and semiotic analysis.
Key Presentations
- Brief Report on the Implementation of the Scientific Program “BR22082478 – The Sign System in the Cultures of the Early Iron Age of the Kazakh Altai” – Dr. Samat Kairollaevich Samashev, PhD, archaeologist. State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Berel, Katon-Karagai District, East Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan.
- Assessment of Research on Turkic Tamgas in Anatolia – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kutlu. Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey.
- Contemporary Methods for the Study of Signs and Symbols at Stationary Archaeological Sites of Antiquity – Maksim Yurievich Polovtsev, archaeologist. Besterek Archaeological Research Center, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan.
- Scientific Issues in the Study of Monuments Bearing Tamga-like Signs of the Ancient Nomads of the Kazakh Altai – Prof. Zainolla Samashevich Samashev, Doctor of Historical Sciences. A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Astana, Kazakhstan.
- Representations of Totemic Animals in the Context of Semiotics – Dr. Oraz Sapashevich Sapashev, PhD in Philology. Istanbul University, Center for Eurasian Studies, Istanbul, Turkey.
- The Sign System in Saka Complexes of the Karatau Region – Dr. Sagynbai Serikbaevich Murgabayev, PhD, archaeologist. Khoja Ahmed Yasawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Kazakhstan.
- The Current State of Research on Archaeological Complexes with Tamga-like Signs in Mongolia – Dr. Shynarbek Seitkhan, PhD, specialist in tamgas. Institute of History and Ethnology, Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
https://berel-museum.kz/en/nauka/kalendar-sobytij.html#sigProIdbd12c0ca48
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