On December 5, 2022, the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Botai” held a round table on the topic “Historical beginning of the Botai settlement” in the building of the “AMANAT” party in Saumalkol village, Aiyrtau District, North Kazakhstan Region. State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Botai” The event was dedicated to Yeslyambek Zakiryauly, a representative of the intellectual community of Northern Kazakhstan and a local historian.

The purpose of the event was to restore historical and moral justice in relation to people who are unknown to the wider public—local historians and researchers—one of whom is Yeslyambek Zakiryauly. More than 40 years ago, Yeslyambek Zakiryauly was among the first to show the discovered bones of an ancient horse and other artifacts to scientist V. F. Zaibert. This patriotic act and his interest in local history contributed to the major scientific discovery of the ancient Botai culture.

At the round table, the 40-year history of studying Botai culture was discussed, including its main milestones, research methods, and future priorities. During the event, a constructive discussion took place about sacred sites of Northern Kazakhstan, the context of further archaeological research, and the museification of the Botai settlement.