Kazakhstan to Introduce Tougher Punishments for Illegal Archaeological Activities
Kazakhstan Proposes Tougher Penalties for Illegal Archaeology
Astana – Kazakhstan is taking steps to crack down on illegal archaeology by introducing stricter regulations and tougher penalties. A new project has been developed and is currently being considered in the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament, as reported by Finprom.kz on Feb. 5.
Scientists and archaeologists have long advocated for stronger measures against illegal seekers of ancient artifacts. The proposed amendments would significantly increase fines for illegal excavations, with penalties ranging from 11.8 million tenge (US$23,016) to 23.6 million tenge (US$46,033) for repeated violations or cases involving specialized equipment. Offenders, especially those operating as part of a criminal group, could face severe sentences of seven to 12 years in prison.
Recent enforcement efforts have shown some success, with a fourfold decrease in offenses related to historical monument vandalism from 2023 to 2024. However, illegal excavations continue to be a problem. Administrative offenses concerning monument protection also decreased from 21 to 14 cases over the past year.
In addition to tougher penalties, the proposed amendments suggest a state monopoly on the exhibition of antiquities and require official approval for exporting archaeological finds. Currently, all discovered artifacts must be turned over to state museums, and private collections of historical value are prohibited.
Kazakhstan is actively working to preserve its cultural heritage and promote archaeological tourism, with UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Tamgals petroglyphs playing a crucial role. The country currently has six UNESCO sites, and this number may increase in the future. Kazakhstan ranks 63rd globally in terms of UNESCO sites, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding its rich archaeological heritage.
