Archeology Museum, Almaty

The Almaty Museum of Archaeology is a prominent cultural institution under the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, located within the “Gylym Ordasy” science and museum complex. It is the only museum of its kind in the country, offering a unique glimpse into Kazakhstan’s ancient and medieval past.

The museum owes its foundation to several generations of archaeologists and scholars who, since the 1920s, have been dedicated to the discovery, study, and preservation of Kazakhstan’s rich archaeological heritage. Built on the foundation of a collection that narrates the life and civilizations that once flourished on Kazakh soil, the museum opened its doors in 1973 in Almaty.

The museum’s first exhibition was housed in a different building on Lenin Avenue (now Dostyk Avenue). The museum’s creation was spearheaded by renowned Kazakhstani scholars such as Alkey Margulan and Akay Nusupbekov. Their goal was not only to showcase 20th-century archaeological finds but also to study one of the most significant discoveries: the “Golden Man” from the Issyk burial mound near the Issyk River in the foothills of the mountains.

In 2010, the Almaty Museum of Archaeology was transferred to the Gylym Ordasy cultural and educational center. After a major restoration, the museum reopened in 2012 in its current location within the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences building.

The museum’s exhibitions vividly depict the history of human life and civilization in Kazakhstan, showcasing materials unearthed from burial sites that span from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. Highlights of the collection include ancient pottery, glassware, and coins from the Saka and Wusun tribes.

Among the most fascinating exhibits are the “Golden Man” and the “Berel Horse.” The “Golden Man,” also known as the “Issyk Golden Man,” is one of Kazakhstan’s most iconic archaeological discoveries, found in the late 1960s. Although the burial mound had been looted before archaeologists arrived, one burial chamber remained miraculously untouched. Inside, they discovered the remains of a Saka warrior clad in golden armor. His attire featured over 4,000 gold ornaments, and the chamber also contained golden weapons, rings, and pottery. The find dates back to the 6th-5th centuries BCE. The “Golden Man,” depicted atop a winged leopard, has since become a symbol of Kazakhstan. While the original artifacts are housed in the State Museum of Gold and Precious Stones in Astana, a replica is displayed in the Almaty Museum of Archaeology.

The “Berel Horse” is another remarkable exhibit, unearthed from the Berel burial mounds in eastern Kazakhstan. Found in the burial of a local queen, the excavation revealed seven fire-colored stallions. One of the horses was adorned with a leather mask decorated with gold plates in the form of mythical creatures. Remains of horses were also discovered in other Berel mounds, and one such horse has been reconstructed for display in the museum.

Visitors with children are encouraged to explore multiple museums within the complex, as younger visitors are particularly fascinated by the dinosaur skeletons on display at the Museum of Nature.

The Museum of Archaeology is located at 28 Shevchenko Street, next to the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences building. In front of the building, there is a monument to Chokan Valikhanov, the Kazakh scholar, historian, ethnographer, and folklorist who led scientific and ethnographic expeditions to the Ili Kyrgyz and the auls of the Greater Zhuz and Kulja.

For the most convenient access, visitors can take the metro to the “Abay” station, located just 700 meters from the museum.

Museum Hours
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 18:00, Saturdays by appointment.

Ticket Prices
Adults: 300 KZT
Children, students, and pensioners: 200 KZT
Unified ticket (for multiple museums): 600 KZT for adults, 400 KZT for discounted categories.

Contact Information
Phone: +7 (727) 272-86-56
Phone: +7 (727) 300-32-26

Official Website of the Almaty Museum of Archaeology
http://www.gylymordasy.kz