INFORMATION LETTER International Summer Field Archaeological School "Interdisciplinary Methods in Archaeology"
15 May 2026
Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Margulan Institute of Archaeology
Shakarim University
East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of History and Local Lore
INFORMATION LETTER
International Summer Field Archaeological School
"Interdisciplinary Methods in Archaeology"
The Margulan Institute of Archaeology of the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, jointly with Shakarim University and the East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, invite young researchers to participate in the International Summer Field Archaeological School "Interdisciplinary Methods in Archaeology".
The School will take place from 17 to 26 July 2026 at the Besterek Museum Complex (Ulан District, East Kazakhstan Region). Its concept is grounded in the conviction that modern archaeology does not exist in isolation: remote sensing, geographic information technologies, physical anthropology, and archaeozoology are not auxiliary tools but equal methods that together produce a fundamentally richer understanding of the past. Participants will not simply learn each approach in isolation — they will see how these methods work in combination at real heritage sites of the region.
Who Can Participate
Applications are welcome from senior undergraduate students, MA students, PhD candidates, early-career researchers, and specialists up to 40 years of age (at the time of application) whose academic interests relate to archaeology, anthropology, history, cultural heritage, and related disciplines.
Academic Tracks
The programme combines theoretical lectures and practical modules across four interconnected tracks:
– GIS Technologies and Documentation Methods in Archaeology – hands-on training with modern software tools for spatial analysis, site mapping, and digital recording of field data.
– LiDAR Survey in Archaeological Research – methods for acquiring and interpreting remote sensing data: from point-cloud processing to the identification of concealed landscape features.
– Physical Anthropology – field handling of palaeoanthropological materials: recording, cleaning, packaging and labelling of finds, determination of sex and age from skeletal remains.
– Archaeozoology – analysis of osteological materials: identification of species composition, age and season of slaughter, recording and labelling of collections.
Programme Structure
Over the ten days of the School, daily thematic lectures alternate with practical modules at the camp base; dedicated days are reserved for field visits to archaeological sites. The programme concludes with a collective review of field materials and the presentation of participation certificates.
Field Programme
In addition to on-site classes, the programme includes visits to key archaeological monuments of East Kazakhstan:
– The Akbauyr Archaeological Complex – a cave sanctuary with unique rock art from the Eneolithic and Bronze Age, and a production centre of the Early Iron Age.
– The Ancient Tin-Mining Sites of the Kalba Ridge – one of the largest Bronze Age mining and metallurgical centres in Eurasia.
Participation and Application
Participation in the Summer School is free of charge: the organisers provide accommodation and meals for the full duration. Participants are responsible for their own travel costs to and from Ust-Kamenogorsk.
To apply, please submit an application by 10 June 2026, including a motivation letter and a letter of recommendation from your academic supervisor or instructor. In the motivation letter, we invite you to describe your research experience, academic interests, and what you hope to gain from participating in the School.
Selection is competitive. Results will be announced by 20 June 2026 and communicated individually to the email address provided in the application.
Working languages of the School are Kazakh and Russian. Some sessions are conducted in English; handout materials for those sessions will be available in translation.
Contact Information
School Coordinator: Aidyn Zhuniskhanov
Email: mail@archeo.kz
Phone / WhatsApp: +7 (702) 412-47-30
Registration: https://forms.gle/oEHQYwruiZiVmRWx6
Official website: https://archeo.kz/
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Information letter
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