President instructs to protect unique historical sites from destruction

In order to preserve our rich historical and cultural heritage, it is necessary to put things in order in archaeological activities. This was stated by the Head of State during a speech at a meeting of the National Kurultai,  El.kz reports citing Akorda.

- It is no coincidence that Kazakhstan is called the country of petroglyphs. In recent years, some petroglyphs have been destroyed under the needs of the construction industry. We must protect our unique historical sites from destruction. I instruct the competent authorities to take all necessary measures for this. If necessary, it is necessary to consider the issue of making appropriate changes to the legislation," Tokayev said.

He also instructed to improve legislation in the field of archaeology.

- In order to preserve our rich historical and cultural heritage, it is necessary to put things in order in archaeological activities. Over the past two decades, many of the most important archaeological sites of our country have been literally looted. It has come to the point that valuable finds found on the territory of Kazakhstan are found in private collections in Kazakhstan and abroad, as well as among the exhibits of various museums around the world. The current situation needs to be urgently corrected by improving legislation in the field of archaeology, streamlining licensing, and toughening responsibility for illegal archaeological excavations. It is also necessary to strengthen regulation in the field of restoration of historical and cultural heritage sites. It is important to intensify work on the return of historical artifacts from foreign museums to Kazakhstan. If this is not possible, it is necessary to make exact copies of them for domestic museums. I think the members of the Kurultay, who are deputies of the Mazhilis from different factions, will make efforts to solve these issues," the President said.

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