“In the Footsteps of an Ancient Warrior: Studying a Chain Mail from the Museum Collection”

On June 5, 2026, the Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “Ridder Through the Lens of Historical Perspectives” was held at the Ridder Palace of Culture. The event brought together scholars, researchers, local historians, and members of the public interested in studying and preserving the historical heritage of the region. During the conference, key issues related to the formation and development of the city were discussed.
This conference became an important milestone for us and a tangible sign of support from the organizers. We gained valuable experience, new knowledge, and a unique opportunity to engage in professional dialogue with leading specialists in the fields of history and archaeology.
Particular interest was generated by the three-hour lecture entitled “Kazakhstan in the Flow of History: Continuous Statehood.” The lecture was delivered by Mukhit-Ardager Karzhaubayuly Sydyknazarov, Director of the Institute of Modern Studies at L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor, researcher of the cartography and historical geography of the Kazakh State and Turkic countries, and recipient of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Science. The lecture provided a fresh perspective on large-scale historical processes and Kazakhstan’s role in world history.

    

Another significant event of the conference was the visit of archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeological Research of A. Margulan Pavlodar Pedagogical University to the Ridder Museum of History and Local Lore. The colleagues provided invaluable practical assistance in the study of ancient artifacts preserved in the museum’s collections.
In particular, historian Elmira Maratovna Yesimbayeva spent a year researching a unique chain mail armor. This rare piece of protective military equipment was discovered in 1986 during the construction of wastewater treatment facilities in the city’s 4th district. The find is of great scientific interest to the museum community and researchers, opening new pages in the history of the region.
The artifact was examined by E. K. Tusheva, Chief Curator of Archaeological Collections at the Institute of Archaeological Research of A. Margulan Pavlodar Pedagogical University. The exact historical period and century to which the chain mail belongs will be determined after the completion of a detailed analysis and the finalization of the research results.

I. N. Avdeev Historian, Ridder Museum