ASTANA  –  The National Museum of Kazakhstan offers visitors a remarkable journey through the country’s history, culture and civilization, bringing together thousands of years of heritage under one roof. One of the largest and most modern museum complexes in Central Asia, the museum was established in 2013 under the state Cultural Heritage programme and opened to visitors on July 2, 2014. Spread over 74,000 square metres, the complex houses 20 permanent and temporary exhibition halls, with more than 14,000 square metres of exhibition space tracing Kazakhstan’s history from ancient times to the present day. Its collections encompass the country’s archaeological, ethnographic, historical, paleontological and artistic heritage, offering a broad picture of the civilizations, cultures and traditions that developed across the vast territory of Kazakhstan. Among the museum’s major attractions is its paleontological collection, which features fossils discovered at more than 600 sites across the country. The collection includes marine organisms from the Paleozoic era, Jurassic remains from Karatau, ammonites, ancient shark teeth, and the bones and tusks of mammoths, rhinoceroses and ancient horses. Life-size dinosaur reconstructions add a striking dimension to the display. The archaeological collection traces human history from the Stone Age to the late Middle Ages, featuring artefacts from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Eneolithic periods, materials associated with the Botai culture, Bronze Age ceramics and weapons, and objects linked to the Saka civilization. The collection also highlights artefacts unearthed along the Great Silk Road in historic cities including Otrar, Taraz, Sauran, Saraishyk, Syganak and Turkistan.

A particular highlight is the museum’s “Gold” Collection, which showcases the extraordinary craftsmanship, metallurgy and artistic traditions of the ancient peoples of the Great Steppe. At its centre is a reconstruction of the Golden Man, discovered in the Issyk Kurgan and regarded as one of Kazakhstan’s most important archaeological symbols.

Gold ornaments, weapons, horse harnesses, textiles and ceramics discovered at archaeological sites including Taldy-2, Araltobe, Shilikty and Eleke Sazy further demonstrate the sophistication of the ancient steppe civilizations and their distinctive “animal style” of art. The museum also preserves the legacy of the ancient Turks through its “Stone Statues of the Great Steppe” collection. Stone statues and balbals dating from the 6th to 8th centuries provide insight into the worldview, social organization and funerary traditions of ancient Turkic societies. The exhibition also explores the formation of the Turkic Khaganate in the 6th century and the development of ancient Turkic writing and spiritual culture, including materials associated with the Orkhon inscriptions of Kül Tegin, Bilge Khagan and Tonyukuk.

Another major section chronicles Kazakhstan’s history from the 13th to the 20th century, covering the Golden Horde, the Kazakh Khanate, national liberation movements of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Alash movement, Stalinist repression, the ALZHIR camp, the Second World War and the Soviet and post-war periods.

Archaeological finds, ceramics, weapons, coins, jewellery, historical documents, photographs and personal belongings of prominent figures help portray the country’s political, social and cultural transformation. The museum’s ethnographic galleries offer an insight into the traditional culture and everyday life of the Kazakh people. Jewellery, traditional men’s and women’s clothing, wedding attire, carpets, felt products such as syrmak, tekemet and tuskiiz, alasha rugs, traditional furniture and household objects reflect the artistic traditions, craftsmanship and way of life of Kazakh society.

The museum’s art collection meanwhile traces the evolution of Kazakh art from the emergence of a professional national art school to contemporary artistic practices. It features works by prominent artists including N. Khludov, Abilkhan Kasteyev, K. Telzhanov, M. Kenbayev, A. Ismayilov, A. Galymbayeva, G. Ismailova and S. Aytbayev, alongside works by contemporary Kazakh artists. Its graphic art collection further demonstrates the diversity of Kazakhstan’s artistic heritage, featuring engraving, lithography, etching, linocut, watercolour and pastel works.

Together, the museum’s collections tell the story of a land shaped by ancient civilizations, nomadic cultures, powerful empires, trade routes and centuries of artistic and intellectual development.

The National Museum therefore serves not only as a repository of Kazakhstan’s heritage but also as a major centre for research, education and cultural exchange. Through its scientific, cultural and educational programmes, the museum continues to preserve and promote the heritage of the Great Steppe while strengthening cultural cooperation with museums and institutions around the world.