Petroglyph 1 Petroglyph 2 Petroglyph 3

ZooStan

International Scientific Research Center for the Study of Central Asia Орталық Азияны зерттеу жөніндегі халықаралық ғылыми-зерттеу орталығы «ХЗЗ ZooStan» Международный научно-исследовательский центр по изучению Центральной Азии «МИЛ ZooStan»
CNRS Logo KazNU Logo
[scroll down]
Excavation 1
Excavation 2
Excavation 3
Excavation 4
Excavation 5

We conduct archaeological excavations, carry out laboratory research and train the younger generation in the latest archaeozoological research methods. Read about field school in Jonzac, France 8-16 September 2025.

The main goal of ZooStan is to explore the history of human societies through the lens of human-animal relationship dynamics over the past million years

1.

Evolution of paleofauna and archaeological sites

2.

Animals as a driving force in the technological, economic, and symbolic development of human societies

3.

Human settlement in extreme environments, especially in high-altitude areas

William Rendu
William Rendu
Rinat Zhumatayev
Rinat Zhumatayev

Opened in 2024 at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan with support of CNRS and KazNU

The laboratory is under the joint leadership of William Rendu from CNRS and Rinat Zhumatayev from KazNU

[meet all team]

Fieldwork is currently underway at 13 archaeological sites across four countries: France, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Central Asia Map
Almaty

Almaty, Kazakhstan

ZooStan Research Center at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Jonzac

Jonzac, France

Collaborative archaeological site exploration

Kyrgyzstan

Obishir, Kyrgyzstan

Collaborative archaeological site exploration

Tajikistan

Pamir, Tajikistan

Collaborative archaeological site exploration