KazNU Professor conducted scientific research in the Vatican archives
Kalkaman Zhumagulov, Professor of the Department of General History, Historiography and Source Studies at al-Farabi Kazakh National University, returned from a scientific trip to Germany, Italy and the Vatican.
The scientist conducted extensive research to identify and analyze rare historical sources in Latin on the history of the Hunnic Empire, the Avar Khaganate and the Golden Horde.
During his trip to the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, as well as to the University of La Sapienza Università di Roma, the professor continued to search for and translate unique Latin sources reflecting the relationship between the West and the Turkic world of Central Asia in the Middle Ages. The letters of the Roman Popes of the 13th century addressed to the great Mongol khans, the khans of the Golden Horde and the Ilkhans of Persia and Asia Minor are of particular scientific value.
Среди ценнейших письменных памятников по истории и культуре Центральной Азии и Казахстана, выявленных в Ватикане, – записки и хроники европейских путешественников и миссионеров на латинском языке, в том числе: in Praise of the Historical to the Deeds of Blessed Odorico of the ordine de’ Minori Conventuali... Venice, MDCCLXI; Andalio of Savignone; Senatsprotokolle Venedig, 1338 XII, 22 и др.
In the rich funds of the Vatican, the professor also studied numerous information about the ancient tribal union of the Kipchaks, who had their own statehood – Desht-i-Kipchak (Persian dašt-i qipčaq). In sources and scientific literature, this union is found under various names: Qybçaq, Kipschak, Khanat Kiptschak, Kumanien, Cumania, etc. Italian travelers described the routes that passed through the lands of Central Asia and the Kipchak Khaganate. In this case, the definition of "kaganate" coincides with the concept of "state".
In order to develop scientific and cultural ties between Kazakhstan, Italy, the Vatican and Germany, Professor K.T.Zhumagulov made presentations, as well as held meetings and talks with teachers, researchers and students at the University of La Sapienza Università di Roma and the University of Munster.
As part of the scientific trip, Professor Kalkaman Zhumagulov also paid tribute at the monument to Abai Kunanbayev, opened in October 2025 in Rome, the capital of Italy.
Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
