Prospects for Studying Botai Culture: history of research and stages of museumification of Botai sites

Abstract

Systematic large-scale research conducted by the North Kazakhstan Archaeological Expedition, the Kokshetau International Archaeological Expedition, and the Botai International Archaeological Expedition – under the leadership of V.F. Seibert, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of Archaeology, Corresponding Member of the German Archaeological Institute – in Northern Kazakhstan led to the discovery and scientific validation of the Botai archaeological culture. Meticulous fieldwork, along with the involvement of natural science specialists to analyze the extensive archaeological collections, established a solid scientific foundation for the theoretical reconstruction of various aspects of economic, sociocultural, and ideological processes of ancient societies in Kazakhstan. Undoubtedly, the materials of the Botai archaeological culture hold significant value in addressing the origins and development of a productive economy in the Eurasian steppe region. Archaeological materials from the Botai settlement have enriched museum collections and require detailed laboratory analysis. It should also be noted that the Botai Museum-Reserve is currently conducting restoration, conservation, and preservation work at the site. Copies of scientific reports written during the study of these Botai culture sites are brought to the museum, where they are carefully reviewed and analyzed by the museum staff. In preparing this paper, we examined and analyzed the works by V.F. Seibert – a distinguished archaeologist who first identified the Botai culture – including his recent monographs and publications.

Keywords

• archaeology
• botai
• culture
• eneolithic
• history of research
• v.f. seibert
• museumification