Abstract
The second half of the 20th century was a pivotal period in the development of domestic archaeological science. The establishment of the Archaeology Department at the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Ethnography, the conduction of the first comprehensive field studies, the expansion of reconnaissance routes, and the discovery and study of new historical and cultural heritage sites ultimately led to the creation of the Archaeological Map of Kazakhstan and the emergence of regional archaeological schools. One of these schools was the Ural Archaeological School, founded by G.A. Kushaev. From his beginnings as a senior laboratory assistant in the Archaeology Department to becoming a Candidate of Historical Sciences, the researcher gained invaluable experience in scientific work. His name in domestic science is associated with the study of antiquities in Zhetisu and the Zhayik (Ural) region. The archaeological sites he studied from the Early Iron Age in these regions are of great significance to the history of Kazakhstan. However, the goal of this article is to explore G.A. Kushaev’s contribution to the development of archaeology of the Bronze Age in the western part of the country. Over 25 years of work in Uralsk, the scholar discovered and partially studied more than 400 sites from various historical periods, including 63 burials and three Bronze Age settlements. Thanks to the combination of his pedagogical and scientific activities, G.A. Kushaev involved not only university students but also schoolchildren in archaeological research. As a war participant, he was eager to study as many monuments as possible in areas designated for construction. He sought to combat the incompetence of authorities, proving the need for the conservation and preservation of archaeological sites for future generations. His struggle to protect the unique Kresty archaeological site will remain an example for future generations of how to love one’s country, fight for the preservation of archaeological monuments, and study one’s history until the very end of life.