On August 25, a delegation from Altai State University (ASU) visited the Kurmanjan Datka Center for Nomadic Civilization in the village of Chon-Sary-Oi, Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan. A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a comprehensive cooperation agreement with the Center’s Director, Aida Alymova.

ASU was represented in Kyrgyzstan by experts from the Greater Altai Research and Education Center for Altaic and Turkic Studies, including Alexey Tishkin, Head of the Department of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Museology, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Professor, and Vadim Gorbunov, Professor at the same department, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Associate Professor.

The agreement provides a framework for extensive joint research. The parties plan to carry out detailed photographic documentation and X-ray fluorescence analysis of artifacts, establish a shared video and photographic archive, and feature 3D models of the objects in the Greater Altai — Homeland of the Turkic Peoples virtual museum.

The agreement also provides for joint working meetings, roundtables, and seminars, as well as expert support in developing museum exhibitions, refining the chronology of artifacts, and expanding the scientific database.

“We were particularly interested in the early medieval stone sculptures,” noted Alexey Tishkin. “Last year, the museum of the Center for Nomadic Civilization acquired one of the largest and most realistic Turkic sculptures, brought there at the initiative of Kyrgyz archaeologist Aida Abdykanova. Today, this monument stands on the grounds of the museum complex, which also houses other sculptures. In the near future, our virtual museum will feature 3D models of some of these pieces. However, our collaboration extends beyond the creation of digital copies. We are prepared to provide our colleagues with expert advice on the scientific assessment of the archaeological materials in their care, as these objects require detailed study, ranging from attribution and chronological refinement to interdisciplinary analysis. As a gift to the Center for Nomadic Civilization, we presented a catalog of the archaeological collections of our university museum, recently published in collaboration with our Chinese colleagues.”

In addition to signing the agreement, the scholars from Altai State University toured new displays and exhibitions dedicated to nomadic culture.

The Center for Nomadic Civilization is located in the village of Chon-Sary-Oi on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The site originally housed a memorial and historical complex dedicated to Kurmanjan Datka, the ruler of the Alai Kyrgyz, known as the “Queen of Alai” or “Mother of the Nation.” The institution later expanded its mission and reopened in 2017 under a new name, becoming a venue dedicated to nomadic culture as a whole.

The grounds feature an encampment of approximately 30 yurts showcasing the traditional lifestyles of the Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Tatar, Bashkir, Uyghur, and other peoples, as well as a sculpture exhibition and a stela park. The museum’s collection is constantly expanding, while the Center serves as a venue for exhibitions, workshops, and academic forums.

The Center currently serves as the primary venue for the scientific program of the 6th World Nomad Games, held from August 31 to September 6. The program features an international scientific-practical conference and events hosted by the ArtLab creative laboratory. An exhibition titled The Legend of the Great Mountains is also on display, showcasing monumental travertine compositions created by artists over the course of a month. Sand sculptures crafted using a specialized technique are being exhibited as well. These works will remain at the Center for Nomadic Civilization as part of its open-air museum.

The management of Altai State University is confident that the signed agreement will lay the foundation for a long-term and fruitful partnership that will not only preserve the unique heritage of nomadic peoples but also make it accessible to a broad audience through modern digital technologies.