The grand opening of the international scientific and practical conference "Margulanov Readings - 2026" took place at the al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The large-scale event brought together more than 100 leading archaeologists and historians from Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Europe and the USA.
Dean of the Faculty of History Dosbol Baigunakov addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He stressed the importance of the event for the academic community: "The Margulanov Readings are traditionally a key dialogue platform where new trends in archaeological science are formed". According to the dean, holding the conference at KazNU confirms the university's status as a leading research center.
The report of Akan Ongarula, Director General of the Margulan Institute of Archaeology, attracted special attention of the participants. Presenting the work on "Some results of the Institute's activities for 2025", he noted that last year was a breakthrough in the field of interdisciplinary research. Akan Ongaruly identified five priority programs, including the study of antiquity and the Middle Ages in Almaty, as well as comprehensive research in Saryark and the Abai region. "We are actively implementing artificial intelligence and GIS technologies, which allows us to bring the protection of historical and cultural heritage to a qualitatively new level",- the speaker emphasized.
The conference program includes discussions on digital archaeology, paleogenetics, and restoration. Based on the results of the work, a collection of materials will be published, as well as a profile issue "Field research in Kazakhstan 2025".
Press-service of 91传媒 Kazakh National University
