The Institute of History and Regional Studies is actively developing an important direction in the humanities — archaeology and the study of the historical and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan. The Department of Archaeology, Ethnology, Source Studies, and Historiography at the Jussup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University prepares unique specialists, conducts research in the country, and participates in international projects. In an interview for our publication VB.KG, the head of the department, Temirlan Charginov, shared information about the training of museum specialists, the prospects of archaeology, cooperation with foreign scientific organizations, and why it is important to preserve historical memory, including the memory of the Great Patriotic War.
- What areas is the department focused on?
- We are developing four key areas: archaeology, ethnology, source studies, and museology. Each of them requires its own methodology and research tradition. A special event for our department is the first graduation of museum specialists, which is unique for Kyrgyzstan, as there are no other educational institutions with a similar specialization. We are observing a growing demand for professionals in museums and exhibition centers who are capable of working with collection funds, documenting materials, and organizing exhibitions.
In addition, we have launched a bachelor's program in archaeology, which is a novelty both during the Soviet era and after the collapse of the USSR. This will help fill the personnel gap, as archaeology requires systematic training and a practical approach to field research.
- Why is such training becoming important?
- In modern conditions, archaeological expertise is a mandatory stage of almost any construction project. The presence or absence of a cultural layer can determine the fate of objects: whether construction is possible, how safe it is, and what restrictions need to be considered. Previously, specialists were trained only in Moscow, Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), and Novosibirsk. Now it is extremely important to develop our own scientific school.
Unfortunately, the number of archaeologists capable of conducting full-fledged research in Kyrgyzstan is extremely limited. Therefore, the opening of new training programs for specialists is an important step for preserving our cultural heritage.
-How does the youth manifest itself in these areas?
- Interest in archaeology among young people is growing. Students in master's and doctoral programs actively participate in scientific activities: they take part in field expeditions, study finds, and work in laboratories. However, archaeology is not only a scientific discipline; it also involves field research in challenging natural conditions. Here, not only academic training is important, but also psychological readiness. This is a calling that requires an understanding of the real work in the ground, rather than romantic notions.
- What archaeological treasures does Kyrgyzstan have?
- The territory of the country is home to numerous monuments from various eras. Kyrgyzstan is located at the crossroads of trade and cultural routes, which explains the diversity of archaeological cultures — from the earliest Paleolithic to the Middle Ages.
For example, according to old data, Paleolithic finds were dated to 800-850 thousand years. However, we recently received new dates for the Yutash-Sai monument, which is a significant site in the Batken region. The Sel-Unkur monument is also unique, and international research is being conducted on it.
It is important to note that in ancient times there were no state borders, and stone industries spread over vast distances, so monuments often share similar features regardless of their location.
-What fieldwork has been conducted in recent years?
- We actively collaborate with Russian scientific institutions, such as the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, and Moscow University. For over ten years, we have been conducting joint research with French archaeologists. Our Chinese colleagues are also joining the projects. Czech specialists are working in southern Kyrgyzstan, studying settlement complexes.
One of the key events was the launch of a state program for the research and passporting of endangered monuments, which is the first such project in the last thirty years.
For example, in the Kochkor region, baths of the hamam type from the Karakhanid period were discovered — an extremely rare find for our country. Excavations of burial mounds from the early Iron Age and the Middle Ages were conducted in the Chui region. A new survey is being prepared in the Issyk-Kul area. However, only 5-6 percent of our historical and cultural heritage has been studied, indicating a significant potential.
-How do international and multidisciplinary studies proceed?
- A team from fifteen countries worked at the Sel-Unkur monument, allowing for the use of various research methods. In addition to archaeology, data from zoology, biology, paleontology, and traceology are applied. We study not only artifacts but also the natural environment, climatic context, and features of raw material extraction and processing, which helps to reconstruct a complete picture of ancient people's lives.
- What are the real difficulties of the archaeologist's profession?
- It is not an easy job. Field conditions can be quite challenging: heat, cold, rain, snow, and strong winds. All finds must be meticulously documented, as the excavation process destroys the monument. Unlike "black diggers," we create a scientific reconstruction, documenting each layer, details, and creating drawings and models.
Thus, we form a documented history that existed before the appearance of written sources.
-What methods are used to determine the age of finds?
- The main methods include radiocarbon analysis, thermoluminescence dating, and uranium series methods. If organic materials are available, the analysis is faster and more accurate. Otherwise, soil and mineral structure are examined. Modern laboratories allow for age determination with high precision.
-How is the memory of the Great Patriotic War preserved in Kyrgyzstan?
- Almost every district and village has monuments dedicated to the victory over fascism and Nazism. This is one of the most enduring forms of memory. However, the level of their preservation varies: in some places, monuments are cared for, the condition of the slabs is monitored, and events are organized, while in others, they remain unattended, depending on the financial capabilities and responsibility of local officials.
-How do the older generation and youth perceive the war?
- The memory of the war is very much alive among the older generation. They grew up alongside veterans, heard stories in families, and lived in a cultural tradition where respect for victory and heroism was considered important. The youth, however, perceive it differently. Modern values, the influence of a globalized lifestyle, and a fast-paced information environment change their perception. They feel that the world belongs only to them, and history is something distant. Their interests differ, and the memory of the war takes a back seat. However, this does not mean they are indifferent; they just need a different language and forms of presentation.
- What helps keep this topic in public attention?
- First and foremost, it is museums and exhibitions. For example, the Historical Museum has created a worthy reconstruction dedicated to Victory. Initially, a large-scale exhibition was planned, developed with the participation of Turkish specialists, but after changes, the museum preserved materials about the war and the role of Kyrgyzstan in the overall victory. Such exhibitions are an important tool, showing the war not as a set of dry dates, but as part of the country's overall history.
- What needs to be done to ensure that memory does not fade?
- It is necessary to strengthen human values and show the importance of connections between generations. It is important to explain to the youth that memory is not a formality, but the foundation of how society understands itself. Discussions about the youth being "disconnected" should not overshadow the main point: they need an accessible language to explain historical events. Museums, school programs, and public projects help maintain a connection with the past.
