Professors from Kazakhstan give lectures in University of Cambridge

Professors from Kazakhstan give lectures in University of Cambridge

Professors from Kazakhstan Zeinolla Samashev and Abdesh Toleubayev gave lectures at the University of Cambridge. Students, professors and other researchers from the leading educational institutions of the UK gathered to listen to the lectures of the famous archaeologists. The lecturers spoke about the history and culture of the ancient Saka people who lived on the territory of modern Kazakhstan in the first millennium BC and about the gold artefacts found in the mounds.

“They do not know our history, are not familiar with new relics. They know only monuments and facts from the times of the Soviet Union. What we are talking about today is based on the discoveries of the last five to ten years. So, this is very interesting for them,” explained Zeinolla Samashev, Doctor of Historical Sciences and a professor.

“We raised the topic of the language of the Saka people, talked about the nature of their culture. Many believe that they spoke Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, we prove that these are ancient Turks, Proto-Turks,” noted Abdesh Toleubayev, Professor of Archaeology Department at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

More than 200 people from all over the world and students from Cambridge took part in the lecture that was held in a combined format, both offline and online. Young researchers who study archaeology asked questions and fed their minds with fresh information.

“All of the techniques from metal working is very-very interesting and learning about how those techniques spread across Kazakhstan. I think they’re doing very good, very important job,” said a PhD Student at University of Cambridge Kyra Kaercher.

“And I especially come today to Cambridge to listen to absolutely amazing lecture giving by professors Samashev and Toleubayev. I learned today that some of these important, say, thieves, if you like, of societies were buried not with their wives, but with their mothers, or with their close cousins. And it made me think about the structure of Scythian society and all the things that I have no idea about and I would like to learn,” added Milena Radivovic, a professor at University College London.

In addition to the lecture, the Kazakh scientists visited the laboratories of the Cambridge University. The colleagues saw the methods of scientific analysis and proposed to share their experience. Also, the experts got acquainted with the curriculum of the university, agreed on the exchange of students and professors. Moreover, a plan was worked out for the joint participation of scientists from the Cambridge University in scientific expeditions with an invitation to Kazakhstan.

 

Translation by Saniya Sakenova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova