Spatial Structure, Iconographic Features, and a GIS-Based Registry Model of Stone Statues from Zhetysu and Saryarqa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69567/Keywords:
Stone statues, Zhetysu, Saryarqa, Turkic culture, register, iconography, cultural heritageAbstract
The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis and scholarly systematization of Turkic-period stone statues discovered in the regions of Zhetysu and Saryarqa. The study examines their spatial distribution, iconographic features, and semantic characteristics. The authors emphasize the relevance of developing a digital registry that would integrate the monuments’ coordinates, typological attributes, and archaeological context. Establishing such a database will contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage, enhance interdisciplinary research opportunities, and facilitate the application of modern GIS technologies in their study. The presented work is significant for advancing research on the Turkic era and for reconstructing the sacred geography of the region. Currently, the digital registry of ancient and medieval stone sculptures in Qazaqstan includes 998 objects, but this figure is not final and requires further expansion. Such a registry should include a complete database indicating the precise coordinates of the sculptures, their sizes and material composition, iconographic attributes, archaeological context, state of preservation, and scholarly references to sources. This, in turn, will significantly contribute to the protection, preservation, and scientific representation of the country's historical and cultural heritage. The use of digital technologies and geographic information systems allows for the visualization of sculptures, their inclusion on maps, and the acceleration of their introduction into scientific circulation. Systematic study and registration of Turkic stone sculptures in the registry will allow for a deeper understanding of civilizational processes in the Great Steppe, determine historical continuity in the Turkic cultural region, and contribute to the formation of a solid scientific foundation for future research.
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