“Botai – Culture of the Great Steppe”
On May 22, 2025, the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Botai” held the grand opening of the traveling exhibition “Botai – Culture of the Great Steppe” at the Stepnogorsk Museum of History and Local Lore, where it will run until June 22.
The exhibition is dedicated to the unique archaeological Botai culture, dating back to the 4th millennium BCE. Visitors can explore rare artifacts discovered in Northern Kazakhstan, including clay pottery, tools, ornaments, as well as reconstructions of Botai dwellings and lifestyle.
Among the exhibits is a human skull with traces of trepanation, indicating that ancient people were already performing surgical procedures at that time.
Ornamented horse phalanges are also displayed—these artifacts were often used by women as neck ornaments, with each pattern representing a specific symbolic meaning.
Fragments of ceramic vessels serve as evidence that the Botai people produced kumis from mare’s milk. The collection also includes hammerstones, axes, arrowheads, darts, retouchers, as well as knives and scrapers made of jasper quartzite.
The dwellings of the Botai people are considered prototypes of the Kazakh yurt. These dwellings were interconnected by underground passages. Each dwelling was inhabited by people engaged in the same type of livelihood.
The Botai culture is rightfully regarded as one of the most ancient in the history of the Great Steppe. It was here that the domestication of the horse first occurred—a development that had a profound impact on the course of human civilization. The exhibition immerses visitors in the daily life and traditions of ancient people while highlighting the significance of this heritage.
The exhibition has attracted particular interest from school and university students, for whom such events become vivid and engaging lessons in history.
“Botai – Culture of the Great Steppe”
Dear friends,
The Republican State Enterprise “State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve ‘Botai’” of the Committee of Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan invites you to the opening of the traveling exhibition “Botai – Culture of the Great Steppe,” which will take place on June 22, 2025, at the Stepnogorsk Museum of History and Local Lore in Stepnogorsk, Akmola Region.
Purpose of the exhibition: to introduce visitors to the historical and cultural heritage of the northern region, the sacred site of the ancient Botai culture, and its invaluable artifacts; as well as to promote this unique archaeological monument.
Exhibition of Paintings by Yuri Borisovich Tikhonov, Restorer Artist Dedicated to May 21 – the Day of Cultural and Art Workers of Kazakhstan, on the theme: “Botai – Known to the World”
On May 19, 2025, an exhibition of paintings by artist-restorer Yuri Borisovich Tikhonov titled “Botai – Recognized by the World” was held at Independence Square in the village of Saumalkol. The event was dedicated to May 21 — the Day of Cultural and Art Workers of Kazakhstan.
“Night of Botai”
On May 16, 2025, the Republican State Enterprise “State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve ‘Botai’” of the Committee of Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a festive event titled “Night of Botai” in the village of Saumalkol, Aiyrtau District, North Kazakhstan Region, as part of the international “Night at the Museum” campaign.
The main events were held at an open-air venue in Saumalkol village and in the exhibition halls of the Botai Museum-Reserve. Visitors were offered guided tours of the museum halls, where research staff demonstrated the process of making stone discs and processing leather using ancient Botai technologies. The guests showed great interest in historical artifacts, crafts, and the everyday life of people who lived during the Eneolithic period.
The modern format of the event attracted a large audience, including local residents, elders, youth, researchers, and local historians.
The event concluded with a festive concert.
“Night of Botai”
As part of the “Night of Museums” campaign dedicated to the International Museum Day, the festive event “Night of Botai” will be held for residents and guests of Saumalkol village on May 16 at 6:00 p.m. in front of the “Inzadan” trade and administrative center.
