Exhibition “Chance Finds”
On February 27, 2025, the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore opened an exhibition titled “Chance Finds.”The display was composed of artifacts uncovered during archaeological surveys and monitoring works carried out in 2024 in the Inder and Kyzylkoga districts of Atyrau Region. The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. D. Khamidullina, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts at Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University; Dr. L. Berdigozhin, Associate Professor and Doctor of Historical Sciences; Dr. Zh. Zhumabayeva, Associate Professor and Candidate of Historical Sciences; as well as representatives of cultural institutions and the media.
The exhibition was inaugurated by the museum director, M. Kipiev, who emphasized the importance and scientific value of the survey work.In an online presentation, Dr. T. Mamirov, Senior Researcher at the Department of the Stone Age, A. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, discussed the distinctive features of the unique artifacts. Dr. M. Kasenov, Senior Researcher of the Museum’s Archaeological Department, elaborated on the discoveries and their historical significance. The two-section exhibition was introduced by G. Bazarbayev, Head of the Museum’s Archaeological Research Department. For the first time, the exhibition showcased a remarkable find from the Inder District — the burial of an armed warrior in iron armor, discovered in the sand mound “Zhaksynyn ayagy syngan”, located 18 km west of the village of Eltay. The burial dates back to the 9th–11th centuries and belongs to the Oghuz–Khazar tribal confederation.During the survey, archaeologists found about 100 iron artifacts, as well as fragments of the warrior’s clothing — a rare occurrence in archaeological excavations. This discovery is of exceptional value, providing new insights into the material culture of the tribes that once inhabited the region.The exhibition presented parts of the iron armor, stirrups, iron arrows, spears, a curved saber, an iron tube, fragments of a bow, and golden earrings discovered within the burial. This significant find serves as an important historical source, revealing new perspectives on the funerary practices of Oghuz–Khazar warriors.
