Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology

Structure of the Institute:

1. International Research Laboratory Archeozoological Center for the Study of Central Asia - ZooStan

(Head – Dr. William Rendu)

The purpose of the Archeozoological Center for the Study of Central Asia (ZooStan) is to study past human societies through the prism of human-animal relations over time, with a special emphasis on the period going from the Middle Pleistocene to the Middle Holocene.

Co-Director Dr. Rinat. Zhumataev

Members: Dr. Svetlana. Shnaider, Symbat sagyndykova, Bagashar kozhahmetov, Rysbek Bakkeldi

External members: Dr. Radu Iovita, Dr. Saltanat Alisher Kyzy, Anastasia Kolyasnikova

Publications: Berezina, N., Ziganshin, R., Kolobova, K., Rendu, W., Buzhilova, A., 2024. Bison sex matters: the potential of proteomic tooth enamel analysis for determination of ancient human subsistence strategies. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 16(9), p. 142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-024-01642-8

Iovita, R., Rendu, W., Lindauer, S. et al. A Newly Dated Late Pleistocene and Holocene Archaeological Assemblage from Bukhtarma Cave in the Southern Altai Piedmont, East Kazakhstan. J Paleo Arch 7, 21 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41982-024-00187-x

2. International Research Laboratory "Geoarchaeology"

The purpose of the laboratory is to apply a large range of methods coming from natural science disciplines for the study and dating of archaeological sites and artifacts in the territory of Kazakhstan and Central Asia through the prism of world history based on modern methodological paradigms and tools.

Members: R.Sala, J.-M. Deom

Publications: Sala, R., Deom, J.-M. (2005) Petroglyphs of South Kazakhstan. Almaty, Lab of Geoarchaeology (in English and Russian), 150 p.

Sala, R., Deom, J.M. (2017) Geoarcheologiya aridnoi zony: na primere Kazakhstana [Arid land geoarchaeology with study cases from Kazakhstan], Almaty, "Kazak Universiteti", 206 p.

3. Laboratory of Archaeological Conservation and Restoration (Head - B.B. Besetaev)

The purpose of the laboratory is to use a set of temporary measures to ensure the physical and mechanical integrity of archaeological finds, ensure long-term preservation, as well as bring them to an exhibition form and prepare them for long-term storage.

4. Scientific Center of Museology and Monument Studies (Head – T.E. Kartaeva)

The goal of the center is the scientific research of the cultural heritage in the museum funds of Kazakhstan, the record of heritage preserved among people, the research, collection and systematization of monuments of the ethnographic period preserved in the open air, and the identification, registration and documentation of ethnographic monuments under threat of destruction. It includes also research concerning intangible cultural heritage, museum ethnography, museum and monument studies, research of "living monuments" in the direction of "ethnobotany", "ethnozoology".

Members: A.K. Beisegulova

Publications:

5. Laboratory of "Archaeological Dendrochronology"

The main goal of dendrochronology is dating the latest periods of archaeological cultures and monuments. Also, improvement of existing and development of new methodological and methodological approaches to the use of dendrochronological information that meet the needs of archaeological science and practice.