On August 3, 2023, Professor Alan Outram of the University of Exeter (Southwest England) arrived at the archaeological excavations conducted by the Republican State Enterprise “Republican Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve ‘Botai’” of the Committee of Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The purpose of the scientist’s visit is to contribute to the study of the Botai Culture, namely through the examination of osteological material (animal bones) from the Botai Settlement and the archaeological site Krasny Yar Settlement.

Such promising fields as bioarchaeology and zooarchaeology, along with the new data obtained through modern technologies and research methods, may shed light on the reconstruction and understanding of the lifestyle and activities of the ancient Botai people.

Alan will be assisted in this work by young researchers — master’s students and university students — who arrived together with him from England. It is believed that such productive international cooperation in the field of science will contribute to its development and help uncover new “mysteries” of the history and culture of the Great Steppe.