On 23 December 2025, the State Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserve «Esik» hosted the opening of the exhibition «Cultural Complex of Early Nomads of the Sarytogay Valley in the Middle Reaches of the Charyn River – Left Tributary of the Ili River».
The main purpose of the exhibition is to popularise the deep civilisational traditions and culture of the ancient peoples who inhabited the Zhetysu region, as well as to preserve and interpret its rich historical and cultural heritage.
In 2024–2025, as part of the research project «The Cultural Complex of Early Nomads in the Sarytogay Valley of the Middle Charyn River – a Left Tributary of the Ili River», field archaeological investigation was carried out at the Sarytogay, Togyzbulak, Sharyn and Shyrin, located on the right bank of the Ili River in the Almaty region and dating from the V–II centuries BC. This exhibition introduces visitors to the main results of these studies.
The exhibition features valuable archaeological finds that reflect the worldview, everyday life, ritual practices and material culture of the ancient population of the region. Among the exhibits are ceramic vessels, a bronze pin, gold overlays for decorating clothing, overlays in the shape of a rooster, as well as fragments of bone plates with images of a horse and a tiger.
The exhibition offers visitors a fascinating journey into the history of the ancient nomads of Zhetysu and reveals unique evidence of their cultural heritage.
We invite everyone to visit the exhibition!
