Report on Visit of D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University Delegation

The UCL Institute of Archaeology had the pleasure of hosting a high-level delegation from D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Kazakhstan, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international research collaboration between the United Kingdom and Central Asia. The visit was motivated by the internationally visible research activities and recent discoveries generated by the DREAM project - Discovering the (R)Evolution of Eurasian Metallurgy: Social and Environmental Impact of the Bronze Age Steppes Metal-Driven Economy - hosted at University College London.

The DREAM project is a major interdisciplinary research initiative focused on the Bronze Age of the Eurasian steppes, with a particular emphasis on Kazakhstan. Through long-term fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and close collaboration with local partners, the project has significantly advanced understanding of Bronze Age metallurgical economies, social organisation, and mobility patterns across Central Eurasia.

Among the most significant outcomes of this collaborative research are new insights into the so-called nomadic city of Semiyarka, a large and complex Bronze Age settlement that challenges traditional models of steppe mobility and urbanism. In parallel, joint research on Bronze Age tin-bronze workshops in Kazakhstan has brought to light exceptionally rare and globally important evidence for early tin metallurgy, positioning Kazakhstan as a key region for understanding the emergence and circulation of bronze technologies worldwide.

Delegations and High-Level Representation

The presence of senior university leadership alongside ministerial representation was warmly welcomed and underscored Kazakhstan’s strong commitment to expanding international research partnerships, capacity building, and scientific diplomacy.

Strategic Dialogue and Memorandum of Understanding

Formal discussions centred on the future development of collaborative research, teaching, and training activities. Professor Pushpa Arabindoo emphasised UCL’s strategic commitment to Asia as a core component of its global engagement agenda, highlighting the importance of sustained scholarly exchange, co-created research agendas, and the mobility of early-career researchers and students.

A key milestone of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UCL Institute of Archaeology and D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University. The MoU establishes a framework for expanded cooperation, including:

• Joint research within the DREAM project activities
• Co-organised summer schools and specialist training programmes
• Collaborative dissemination through conferences and publications

Laboratory Tour and Future Research Plans

Following the MoU signing, the delegation was given a guided tour of the UCL Institute of Archaeology’s laboratories. During the visit, DREAM project researcher fellows demonstrated how archaeological materials from Kazakhstan are analysed using state-of-the-art scientific techniques, including metallurgical, archaeometric, and environmental methods. These discussions highlighted the value of integrated field-to-lab workflows and the importance of shared standards and protocols in international research.

A particularly exciting outcome of the visit was the agreement in principle to co-organise an international conference on Bronze Age tin and early metallurgy, proposed to take place in Ust-Kamenogorsk (Ust-Kam) in 2027. This event is envisioned as a flagship outcome of the DREAM project, bringing together scholars from Kazakhstan, Europe, and beyond to address one of the most pressing questions in Eurasian archaeology: the origins, organisation, and circulation of tin bronze technologies.

The significance of the visit and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was also formally recognised at the national level in Kazakhstan. News of the agreement and the high-level discussions held at UCL was published on the official website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, underscoring the strategic importance of this partnership for international research collaboration and academic exchange.

The visit marked a significant step forward in deepening collaboration between UCL Institute of Archaeology and D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical  University. It reinforced shared research priorities, mutual trust, and a strong commitment to long-term partnership. Building on existing successes, including groundbreaking discoveries such as Semiyarka and the study of Bronze Age tin workshops, both institutions expressed enthusiasm for expanding cooperation in research, training, and international knowledge exchange.

The DREAM project continues to act as a catalyst for these developments, demonstrating how sustained collaboration can generate globally significant discoveries while strengthening institutional and scholarly ties across regions.