Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “Atyrau Readings”

On May 29, 2026, the Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “Atyrau Readings” was held in the city of Atyrau. The event was organized by the Atyrau Region Akimat, the Atyrau Regional Department of Culture and Languages Development, and the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore.

         The conference aimed to promote the study of the historical and cultural heritage of the Atyrau region, introduce archaeological and ethnographic materials into scholarly circulation, support the development of museum studies, and promote the history of the region.

         The conference brought together leading scholars, archaeologists, ethnographers, historians, museum professionals, university lecturers, and students from across Kazakhstan. The plenary session was opened by A. Zholamanov, Head of the Atyrau Regional Department of Culture and Languages Development, while the conference was chaired by M. Kipiev, Director of the museum.

         The plenary session featured scholarly presentations on archaeology, history, ethnography, and museology. Particular attention was devoted to the Sarayshyk settlement, the Karashungyl necropolis, the ancient cities of Western Kazakhstan, burial traditions, and regional archaeological research.

         The conference continued its work in three thematic sections:

– History;

– Archaeology, Paleontology, and the Nature of the Region;

– Monument Studies, Museology, and Ethnography.

         More than 70 scholarly papers were presented across the three sections, addressing current issues related to the study of the region’s history and cultural heritage.

         In addition, museum staff actively contributed to the organization of the conference and prepared a number of articles for the conference proceedings. These included studies on historical toponymy, the Sarayshyk settlement, the systematization of archaeological monuments, and the burial traditions of the military elite.

         During the conference, scholarly publications were presented and donated to the museum’s collection.

         The “Atyrau Readings” conference became an important academic platform that contributed to the comprehensive study of the region’s history, strengthened scholarly cooperation, and promoted the development of museum studies.