Exchange of experience in archaeogenetics

The Farabi Scientific Library hosted the international round table "An Archaeogenetic journey into the Past", which was organized by the Department of Archeology, Ethnology and Museology.

This event was dedicated to the study of ancient human DNA based on archaeological data. The event, aimed at a comprehensive analysis of the current state of ancient DNA research, was attended by the leadership of the Faculty of History, the staff of the department, scientists from the A.H.Margulan Institute of Archaeology, the Institute of Genetics and Physiology, as well as students, undergraduates and doctoral students.  

Dean of the Faculty of History, Professor Dosbol Baigunakov introduced the guests to the scientific work carried out by the faculty's scientists.

World-renowned scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany) came to participate in the round table Matthias Mayer, Janet Kelso and Elena Maria Esel.

During the scientific event, reports on topical issues of archeology were heard. Will Rendy, Director of the International Research Center for the Study of Central Asia "MIL ZooStan" at KazNU, spoke about the center's plans for the study of archaeozoological material. Researcher at the Institute of Archeology and Anthropology at KazNU S.Schneider presented a report on the topic "Identification of unidentifiable using a collagen fingerprint".

Foreign scientists made presentations: Matthias Mayer – "Beyond bones and teeth – the study of sediments as an alternative source of ancient human DNA", Janet Kelso – "Denisovans of Altai: new data based on a high–quality genome" and Elena Essel - "Touching through time: ancient human DNA obtained from Paleolithic suspension". The presentations aroused great interest among the audience.

After the presentations, the participants asked questions and exchanged opinions on the study of ancient DNA, the prospects for the restoration of ancient history and the settlement of mankind.

Issues of bilateral cooperation between the University's archaeologists and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology were also discussed during the event.

Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh Natonal University