“SARAYSHYK — THE CROSSROADS OF EAST AND WEST: HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE GREAT STEPPE” INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
In order to implement the initiatives for the revival of the medieval settlement of Sarayshyk, highlighted in the article by the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, "The Advanced Culture of a Country is the High Spirit of its People," the international scientific symposium "Sarayshyk - The Crossroads of East and West: History and Culture of the Great Steppe" was held on November 17-18, 2025, in the city of Atyrau. The event was organized on the initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the Akimat of the Atyrau Region, and was coordinated by the Department of Culture and Languages Development of the Atyrau Region, the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, and the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "Sarayshyk."
The main goal of the symposium was a comprehensive study of the historical, political, and cultural significance of the Sarayshyk settlement, its revival and introduction into scientific discourse, as well as strengthening scientific and cultural cooperation between domestic and foreign scholars. On November 17, a plenary session of the symposium took place at the "Saltanat Saraiy" palace. It was attended by representatives of culture and science from our country, as well as specialists from international organizations. Welcoming speeches were delivered by the Deputy Akim of the Atyrau Region, Zhasulan Bissembiyev; the Vice Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aibek Sydykov; the Senator of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yesbay Amangeldy; and the Deputy of the Mazhilis, Yerkin Abil. They shared important views regarding the development of culture and science. Furthermore, the Chief Coordinator of the "Union of Museums of TURKSOY," Doctor of Historical Sciences, Baris Javid Movsumlu; the Representative of the International Foundation for Turkic Culture and Heritage in Kazakhstan, Serik Nurmoldayev; and the Chief Expert of the Turkic Academy, Timur Kozyrev, presented their perspectives on the cultural ties of the Turkic world. The plenary session was moderated by the Vice Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aibek Sydykov. During the session, leading domestic and foreign scholars presented substantive scientific reports on the historical significance of Sarayshyk, its role during the Golden Horde era, the level of its archaeological study, restoration works, and its place in the Turkic world. Among the speakers were Yulay Shamiloglu, Olzhas Shariyazdanov, Alexander Kadyrbayev, Muharrem Çeken, Mehribanu Glaudinova, Ziyabek Kabuldinov, Dmitriy Voyakin, Zhaksylyk Sabitov, and Akan Ongar. The presented scientific research contributed significantly to a deeper understanding of Kazakhstan's medieval history and a broader appreciation of the cultural heritage of the Sarayshyk settlement. A mobile exhibition titled "Gold of the Sarmatians," prepared from the holdings of the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, was presented for the attention of the symposium guests. The exhibition featured unique artifacts discovered during the 2023-2024 archaeological excavations in the Karabau-2, Karakuduk-1, and Karakuduk-2 kurgans, located near the village of Karabau in the Kyzylkoga District. The artifacts on display date back to the 5th–4th centuries BCE and clearly reflect the level of civilization of the Sarmatian tribes, their craftsmanship, military culture, and religious-ritual traditions.
Also on display were a gold belt buckle depicting two tigers and two argali sheeps, a gold bracelet with a snow leopard figure, a touchstone with a gold handle, gold umbo, gold appliqués in animal style, a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, pendants in the shape of the sun and crescent moon, overlays for a wooden vessel, and other valuable artifacts. The exhibition provided guests with an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the rich heritage of Sarmatian culture. During the session, a certificate confirming the acceptance of the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore into the International "Union of Museums of TURKSOY" was presented to the museum's director, Mukhambetkali Kipiev, by the organization's Chief Coordinator, Javid Movsumlu. This event marked an important step in the international recognition of the regional museum and the development of cultural ties. The international scientific symposium "Sarayshyk - The Crossroads of East and West: History and Culture of the Great Steppe" continued with three sectional sessions held at the Abay Center. The sectional sessions were attended by prominent domestic and foreign scientists who comprehensively discussed current issues related to the preservation, research, and restoration of medieval heritage. The first sectional session was chaired by Professor of the International Architectural Academy, Saduakas Agitayev, and the Head of the UNESCO Chair at the Kazakh Academy of Architecture and Construction, Doctor of Architecture, Mehribanu Glaudinova. In this section, titled "Issues of Restoration and Renewal of Medieval Historical and Cultural Heritage," scholars from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine participated, presenting reports on the current state of preservation, restoration, and research of medieval cities and archaeological sites. The researchers raised issues concerning the conservation of historical and cultural heritage, the processing of archaeological materials, the connection of cities with tourism potential, the application of new technologies, the scientific attribution of artifacts, and shared their experiences. The presentations addressed research on the architecture of medieval Taraz, methods of monument reconstruction, restoration of archaeological materials, techniques for artifact conservation, attribution of clothing samples from the Golden Horde era, the restoration of medieval cities in Kazakhstan, as well as research on Sarayshyk and other monuments located near it.
The scholars noted the scientific and practical importance of preserving and renewing medieval monuments and emphasized the necessity of developing the historical and cultural potential of the Sarayshyk settlement and other archaeological centers in the region in connection with tourism and infrastructure. The second section was held on the theme "Medieval Sarayshyk in the Prism of Kazakh and Foreign Historiography: Achievements and Research Problems." The session was moderated by the Director of the Jochi Ulus Research Institute, PhD, Zhaksylyk Sabitov, and the Director of the Research Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnology of the Caspian Region, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Saifulla Sapanov. The section brought together historians, archaeologists, Turkologists, and numismatists from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, who analyzed the current level of research on Sarayshyk and the history of the Jochi Ulus, as well as new data. Participants discussed issues of the political and cultural space of the Golden Horde and the Nogai Horde, the scientific treatment of medieval written sources, the significance of archaeological complexes, methods for studying numismatic materials, and new directions in international historiography. Presentations covered the etymology of the name Sarayshyk, 19th-century research, 16th-century accounts, lexical forms from the period of the Jochi Ulus, medieval cities of the western region, the Khan's pantheon at the Sarayshyk settlement, and challenges in reviving other historically significant sites in the region. The scholars detailed the strategic significance and cultural importance of Sarayshyk in the history of the Jochi Ulus and the Golden Horde, and emphasized the need to enhance international cooperation in the study of medieval cities. The third sectional session was dedicated to the topic "Development of Infrastructure at Historical and Cultural Heritage Sites and Their Transformation into tourist zones." The session was moderated by the Director of the "Visit Atyrau" Tourist Information Center, Nurlybai Bolatbek, and the Deputy Director of the center, Lyazat Sultanova. The session involved museum specialists from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, representatives from the tourism sector, and experts from research organizations. Participants discussed issues of improving the infrastructure around cultural heritage sites, developing the museum sector, enhancing tourism potential, and adapting medieval sites for tourism purposes. The presentations explored prospects for tourism development in the Atyrau region, the role of museums in the development of cultural tourism, experiences in preserving historical sites and integrating them into tourist routes, the utilization of ethno-cultural potential, promoting the research work of museum-reserves, and transforming the region's medieval monuments into tourist zones. The meeting emphasized the necessity of conducting comprehensive research, digitizing cultural sites, developing infrastructure, and modernizing historical locations in accordance with contemporary requirements to enhance the region's tourism appeal. Thus, the symposium's sectional sessions facilitated discussions on key issues regarding the study, preservation, and development of the historical and cultural heritage of the Sarayshyk settlement and other medieval cities within the space of the Great Steppe. Scholars and industry specialists presented a range of proposals and expert opinions on the comprehensive investigation of historical heritage, strengthening scientific cooperation, and developing cultural-tourism infrastructure.
On November 18, the concluding session of the international scientific symposium "Sarayshyk - The Crossroads of East and West: History and Culture of the Great Steppe" was held in Sarayshyk itself. Symposium participants visited the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "Sarayshyk" in the village of Sarayshyk, Makhambet District, where they comprehensively familiarized themselves with its research and museum activities. First, the scholars and researchers received detailed information about the progress of archaeological excavations at the medieval Sarayshyk settlement, restoration projects for the site, and their scientific and cultural significance. Participants inspected the following features on the territory of the settlement: reconstructed models of the fortress gates, glass protective coverings over excavation sites, conservation elements designed to preserve artifacts, and wooden pedestrian walkways laid throughout the area. This allowed them to observe the current directions of restoration work being conducted at the site. The Director General of "Kazrestoration" under the Culture Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Shariyazdanov, presented participants with a substantive presentation on the ongoing projects for the restoration and development of the Sarayshyk settlement and informed them about upcoming plans. The concluding session was moderated by the Deputy Chairman of the Culture Committee, Maksat Argynbekov. The main findings and recommendations developed across the three symposium sections were discussed at the "Sarayshyk" tourist center, where participants unanimously adopted the symposium's final resolution. During the event, specialists exchanged scientific experiences and discussed new approaches and current directions in researching the medieval Sarayshyk settlement, preserving its cultural-historical heritage, restoration, and developing its tourism potential. The symposium was recognized as an important scientific platform that allowed for a profound renewal of the understanding of Sarayshyk's historical and cultural significance, revitalized its scientific study, and strengthened international cooperation. Issues related to preserving and studying the history of the medieval city, as well as its broad inclusion in global scientific discourse, were discussed, and new directions and important proposals were developed. The event marked a step forward in the preservation, study, and promotion of Sarayshyk's rich historical heritage and enabled the presentation of its cultural and tourism potential on an international level. Once again, the scientific and tourism value of this settlement, where the history and culture of the Great Steppe intertwine, was demonstrated, and the importance of collaborative efforts aimed at its development was emphasized.
