Vernacular Architecture of the Kazakh Steppe Sary-Arka

Extreme environmental conditions in the vast Sary Arka steppe shaped a seminomadic way of life for the people of central Kazakhstan, who relied on mobile housing and seasonal cattle breeding. Despite this mobility, they built enduring structures on hilltops to honor their ancestors, serve as burial sites, and function as places of worship. These necropolises and mausoleums, constructed by local craftsmen using earthen materials and fired brick, dated from the 18th to the 20th centuries. They were modest in design and decoration but played a critical role in marking land boundaries and main roads, providing structure and orientation to the expansive steppe. During the Soviet era, land nationalization and the development of new towns disrupted the nomadic way of life, leading to the abandonment of these traditions and structures. Neglected and left without maintenance, the mausoleums and necropolises fell into disrepair. An inventory conducted by the Ministry of Culture in the 1980s highlighted their significance, but conservation efforts were limited by resource constraints. In 2008, these cultural landmarks were officially listed for protection by the state. After their inclusion in the Watch, the government of Kazakhstan allocated $160,000 toward the conservation of two historic mausoleums, Alasha Khan and Zhuchy Khan. Renewed attention to these remarkable sites, coupled with community engagement, offers hope for their long-term conservation and stewardship.