ARCHAEOLOGY WITHOUT BORDERS: KAZAKHSTANI SCHOLARS PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CHINA

From September 20 to 30, 2026, the international scientific conference “Archaeological Discoveries in the Altai–Tian Shan Region” was held in the city of Hami, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China.

At the invitation of their Chinese colleagues, Emma Radikovna Usmanova, a representative of the Saryarka Archaeological Institute, took part in the conference.

The conference brought together researchers from China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and Japan and served as an important platform for discussing current issues in archaeology, ancient history, and the cultural interactions of the peoples of Central Asia and neighboring regions.

The scholars focused on archaeological discoveries of recent years, the ancient cultures of the Altai and Tian Shan regions, the specific features of their development, as well as processes of cultural exchange and mutual influence among ancient societies.

A particular focus of the academic discussions was the study of ancient cultures beyond modern borders. Archaeological findings demonstrate that the territories of present-day Kazakhstan, China, Russia, and Mongolia once formed a single, interconnected cultural and historical space.

The researchers discussed the steppe traditions of the Bronze Age, the regional characteristics of ancient cultures, and extensive connections between different territories. Considerable interest was generated by the archaeological sites of the Altai, including monuments associated with the Pazyryk culture, which provide valuable insights into the economy, art, culture, and worldview of the ancient populations of the region.

Professional meetings and discussions on prospects for further academic cooperation were an important part of the conference.

On behalf of the Saryarka Archaeological Institute, scientific publications and research materials of the Institute were presented to Professor Wang Jianxin. Professor Wang Jianxin is one of the key initiators and organizers of the conference and a renowned specialist in the archaeology of Central Asia.

The presentation of the Institute’s publications marked another important step toward strengthening professional ties and developing the exchange of academic information between archaeological research centers in Kazakhstan and China.