Journal Concept and its Sections

The Turkic Studies Journal aims to publish original research on the history, archaeology, Turkic written monuments and languages of the Turkic peoples. The journal also seeks to promote international academic collaboration in addressing current issues in Turkic Studies as an integral part of Oriental Studies. In terms of historical and cultural research, the journal’s chronological scope covers the medieval period. According to established academic interpretation, this period extends from the late 4th century to the 17th century CE.

However, some modern historical and archaeological concepts date the beginning of the Middle Ages to the Great Migration People (1st –2nd century CE), when the Hunnic Empire emerged in Eurasia. Through researching this period, we can trace the formation of Turkic confederations and states such as the Hunnic Empire, the ancient states of the Turks, Uyghurs and Kyrgyz, the Kipchak Confederation, the Golden Horde, the Ulus of Jochi and the Kazakh Khanate.

The medieval monuments of steppe archaeology in Kazakhstan remain insufficiently studied. Archaeological research provides valuable insights into the early history of the Turkic states, including their economic systems, migratory patterns, and cultural interactions. These archaeological materials are supplemented by written sources and linguistic data, which together enable a comprehensive analysis of historical and cultural processes in the Turkic world.

A significant part of the journal's publications focuses on the study of Turkic written monuments created using various writing systems, including Runic, Uyghur, Manichaean, Arabic, Armenian-Kipchak, and Chagatai scripts. The textual analysis of these monuments is fraught with numerous unresolved issues. The research on Turkic written monuments within the textology section is based on a broad interpretation of textology. This encompasses not only literary works, but also texts of various other genres. The focus is on reconstructing original, authentic versions in order to extract necessary information. Accordingly, researching written monuments involves interpreting and analyzing them from historical, cultural and linguistic perspectives. Textological studies analyze the historical memory, spiritual values, religious beliefs and intellectual traditions that are reflected in written monuments.

Linguistic research encompasses both diachronic and synchronic studies of Turkic languages. This includes the reconstruction of proto-languages, as well as the historical development and typological features of Turkic languages. The study of modern Turkic languages involves examining them from the following perspectives: comparative-typological, systemic-structural, functional-semantic and anthropocentric. Publications concerning the areal and cultural contacts between Turkic languages and Eastern and Western languages are also important.

The academic scope of the journal includes:

  • the history of Turkic confederations and states in the Middle Ages;
  • steppe archaeology and the material culture of Turkic peoples;
  • textual criticism and source studies of Turkic written monuments;
  • diachronic and synchronic studies of Turkic languages;
  • comparative and interregional research within the Turkic world.

The journal's publication policy prioritizes source studies and analytical research based on archaeological materials, Turkic written sources and linguistic data. It also welcomes works that introduce new materials and interpretations into scientific discourse.

Journal Sections

Since 2025, the journal publishes articles within two fields: historical-cultural and philological, with the following sections:

  1. Medieval History and Steppe Archаeology
  2. Textology of Turkic Written Monuments
  3. Turkic Languages

Types of publications

From the first issue of 2026 onwards, the journal will only publish original research articles.