Outcomes of ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCHOOL “KIELI ALTAIYM - TUGAN ZHERIM”
On 6-10 September, 2022, Daryn Scientific and Methodological Center for Gifted and Additional Education Development held the Archaeological School called “Kieli Altaiym - tugan zherim” among 8th-10th graders of educational institutions of East Kazakhstan region, in accordance with the action plan of Education Administration of East Kazakhstan region.
The Archaeological School has been held since 2018 and was initiated by Akim of East Kazakhstan region Danial Akhmetov in order to familiarize schoolchildren with archaeological and local history education, as well as with the methodology of archaeological research, preparing gifted students of the region for competitions of research projects in History and Archeology, cultivating in the younger generation a value-based attitude to the natural and historical and cultural heritage of the Native Land.
Aidyn S. Zhuniskhanov, a graduate of History Faculty of L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Master of Archeology and Ethnology, an author of more than 30 scientific and popular science articles on the archeology of the nomads of East Kazakhstan, an instructor of Nazarbayev University of Kazakh Language and Turkic Studies Department, was invited to be an instructor of Archaeological School.
Research and historical-educational tours were organized for the participants of the Archaeological School to:
- Ak-Baur Complex: young researchers had a unique opportunity to touch one of the most ancient script of the world since the Neolithic Period of the Stone Age. On the territory of the Complex there are historical monuments, such as mounds of different times, petroglyphic drawings, remains of settlements, stone statues. The students had a unique opportunity to ask questions not only about the Ak-Baur Complex, but also many other interesting questions related to archaeological discoveries in East Kazakhstan region and the whole Republic, as they had the honor to meet personally with the famous archaeologist, the discoverer of the famous Berel Mounds and Atyrau Golden Man, the owner of the highest Platinum Tarlan Award, the chief researcher of A. Margulan Archeology Institute of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Zeinolla Samashev. The monuments of the Neolithic, Bronze, Early Iron Ages, Saka culture and cultures of the early Middle Ages were studied under his guidance. Many of them have been studied and described for the first time. Almost 400 scientific works of Zeinolla Samashev were published not only in our country, but also in Russia, China, France, and the USA. He stressed that it is important not only to discover and study, but also to preserve historic monuments;
- Archaeological excavations in Bayash Otepov settlement made a deep impression on the students. At the site of the archaeological discovery, the students learned about the methods of excavations, as well as had the opportunity to personally try themselves as archaeologists and, taking a brush in their hands, made a small contribution to the excavation process.
Moreover, the children took part in the sectional meeting of the International Scientific-Practical Conference called “Altai, the Golden Cradle of the Turkic World”, hosted by S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University.
As part of the Archaeological School, the children visited the Altyn Altai Museum of D. Serikbayev EKTU and the Altai Cultural Heritage Archeology Museum of S. Amanzholov EKU. The participants visited the East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of Local History, being rich in diversity. The museum has 7 halls, and each one differs from each other not only thematically, but also the uniqueness of the exhibits.
Within the framework of the School, educational and practical trainings in Archeology and Local History were organized by scientific instructors of the leading universities of the region.
The camp, where the students lived, organized various kinds of leisure activities: team building, psychological trainings, a movie night, a dance competition, sports and logic games.
All participants were awarded certificates.
The students shared their impressions and left feedback, Gani Madi, a 9th grader of Kh. Mustafina School-Lyceum of Zaisan district: I am pleased to be able to participate in the Archaeological School, I realized that this is a very difficult job that requires responsibility, calmness and patience. For the first time I saw stone caves, ancient stone drawings and scripts. Many thanks to the organizers and instructors of the Archaeological School!”.
The Archaeological School created a unique opportunity for the children to unveil the mysterious world of the past and give them an unforgettable experience!