Syriac Christianity Conference Report

16 July 2019, 3:57 am Written by Kevin White

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It was indeed a great honor and privilege that we were able to host the 6th Salzburg International Conference on Syriac Christianity in China and Central Asia in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We want to thank our organizers and sponsors from the University of Salzburg Center for the Study of the Christian East (ZECO) in cooperation with the Archaeological Institute of Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences. We also want to thank our main sponsors, including the International Institute of Central Asian Studies, Pro Oriente, and the Grand Tien Shan Hotel.

The conference was a great success and featured a record number of participants from some of the most prestigious universities in the world. The conference featured numerous extraordinary papers which brought to light many unpublished finds both in ancient documents and artifacts from various locations worldwide. Indeed this conference was a major step in bringing many pieces of the puzzle together in one place, shedding light on the rich forgotten history of Eastern Syriac / Nestorian Christianity in ancient and medieval Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

In our excursion, it was a pleasure watching as some of the top scholars were able to analyze ancient script at the site of the Golden Man. In the process of preparing the continued excavation of the noted Silk Road city Ilibalik, which the chronicler Hethum I referred to as the city of the Christians, there were an additional 20 Christian gravestones and numerous finds uncovered. It was exciting as the visiting top scholars, each with their own particular expertise, was able to shed light on some of the finds.

Indeed this was an exciting event for Kazakhstan and Central Asia. As Kazakhstan seeks to become one of the top thirty economies in the world, in accordance with the 2050 Plan, it is important to investigate the past as Kazakhstan develops its future. In his address to the Nur Otan Party in 2015, President Nursultan Nazarbayev affirmed Kazakhstan’s policy recognizing the important role religion plays in the affairs of a nation when he stated: “We are entering a period of our development, when spiritual development is no less important than economic and material interests.” This vision is expressed as well in the new program Course Ahead: Spiritual Renewal. In discussions on economic development, particularly as it relates to the One Belt One Road initiative, Kazakhstan understands the significant role religions of the Silk Road played in trade and commerce.

It is our hope that the Department of Nestorian Studies can continue to serve as a platform for developing collaborations and facilitating research in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. As with putting together a puzzle, it is imperative to have a comfortable table where all of the pieces can be put together. Only then can we then begin to see a more clear picture, which will lead and guide further investigations and provide the clues to more fully uncover this lost – but profoundly rich history of Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Zhuldyz Tashmanbetova, recent graduate of Nazarbayev University (MA Eurasian Studies) and Research Assistant for the Department of Nestorian Studies, assists in tour of Issyk Museum, site of the Golden Man.

Drs. Nicholas Sims-Williams and Peter Zieme analyze ancient script found at site of the Golden Man. Dr. Sims-Williams, Emeritus Professor at SOAS, University of London, is a world renown philologist and expert on Sogdian, Bactrian and other ancient Central Asian languages. Dr. Peter Zieme is Emeritus Professor of the Institute of Turcology in Berlin, Germany. He is an expert of old Uighur language and culture, and published on Turfan manuscripts.

Dr. Anthony Watson, PhD Cambridge and expert on Central Asian religious history, is joined by two of his students of Woodberry Forest School.

Dr. Steven Gilbert, Research Fellow of Tandy Archeological Institute, provides tour of Ilibalik site to conference scholars.

Dr. Erica Hunter, Professor at SOAS, University of London, provides valuable insight on aspects of the Ilibalik excavation. Dr. Hunter is an expert on Eastern Christianity and Turfan Christian manuscripts.

Dr. Charles Stewart, independent researcher from St. Thomas University in Houston, Texas, describes medieval bath house complex uncovered at Ilibalik.

The best audience.

Dr. Dietmar Winkler of the University of Salzburg gives opening remarks. In foreground is Kevin White, Dr. Dimitri Voyakin (Director of International Institute of Central Asian Studies), and Dr. Li Tang.