On the Origins of Kazakhstan’s National History

Abstract

 The monograph by A.S. Ganiyeva, “A Century of Archaeology in the Scholarly Legacy of K.A. Akishev,” is the first systematic attempt to summarize the scientific work of the patriarch of Kazakhstani archaeology, Kemal Akishev. It includes an introduction, four chapters, a conclusion, and a chronological index of his publications with QR links to video materials and documentaries about Akishev. Chapter One traces the development of Akishev’s main archaeological directions and academic biography. It outlines key stages in his research, discoveries, and achievements, highlighting the influence of his origins, genetic roots, and historical upheavals that shaped his destiny. Chapter Two focuses on К.А. Akishev’s theoretical and methodological contributions to the study of nomadic history and culture. It discusses his pioneering work on the Bronze Age of Kazakhstan, including its periodization and interpretation of historical events of the 2nd millennium BCE. A significant section addresses the debated issue in historical sciences — the causes, factors, and timing of the transition to nomadism. Drawing on К.А. Akishev’s articles, the chapter presents his views on the environmental conditions that led to the nomadic lifestyle and his development of the concept of the pasture-based nomadic system, and the role of agriculture within the economic structure of nomadic societies. The chapter also highlights К.А. Akishev’s substantial contributions to the theory of politogenesis, particularly through his studies of the Saka and Wusun cultures, the formation of ancient and medieval states in Kazakhstan, and his research in paleo-sociology and the ethnogenesis of the Kazakh people. Chapter Three is devoted to К.А. Akishev’s extensive work on medieval urban culture, which constitutes a significant part of his scholarly legacy. Chapter Four presents К.А. Akishev’s archaeological expeditions, illustrated with photographs that capture the history of archaeology in Kazakhstan.
Written in the genre of a scholarly biography, A.S.Ganiyeva’s monograph is of interest to both academic and university-level archaeologists. It provides essential insights into К.А. Akishev’s contribution to historical science and offers an assessment of a century of archaeological development in Kazakhstan. This constitutes the educational value of "The Age of Archaeology in the Scholarly Legacy of K.A. Akishev.