The press service of the President of Kazakhstan reported that new amendments have been signed regarding the protection of objects of historical and cultural heritage and educational services.
This law includes requirements:
- for the qualifications of workers engaged in the protection of historical and cultural monuments;
- for the functioning of the National Archaeological Service, including the creation of a repository for finds and the regulation of work.
The adopted law establishes systemic norms aimed at organizing archaeological activities and protecting historical and cultural heritage. It was developed in accordance with the instructions of the President, voiced at the National Kurultai on March 15, 2024, and forms a unified approach to regulating archaeological work and preserving heritage.
The protection of historical and cultural heritage and the regulation of archaeological activities are crucial for maintaining national identity and historical memory. The President emphasized the need to organize this sphere, increase the responsibility of all participants, and prevent the loss of cultural values. Previously existing norms did not provide adequate coordination of archaeological work and accounting for identified objects.
The new version of the law emphasizes the improvement of licensing in the field of protection and use of historical and cultural heritage, as well as the revision of qualification requirements for issuing licenses. The powers of the National Archaeological Service in coordinating archaeological work and providing scientific and consulting support to specialists are described in detail.
The law also includes the creation of a Unified Automated Information System for archaeological work, which will allow for the collection of information about objects of historical and cultural heritage identified during research, ensuring transparency and data preservation.
The document clarifies how land plots are provided with mandatory consideration of historical and cultural expertise, and also regulates issues of transfer, storage, and use of archaeological finds and materials. In addition, the establishment of a National Repository for the centralized storage of mass archaeological finds is planned.
The amendments take into account the specifics of archaeological work, including the delineation of planned and unplanned studies, and establish uniform requirements for the activities of organizations and the use of technical means during excavations, contributing to a clearer regulatory system.
The adopted law aims to form a modern approach to the protection of historical and cultural heritage, creating conditions for the preservation of archaeological values, strengthening scientific potential, and the systematic development of archaeological activities in Kazakhstan.
