According to Kabar, the revised law, passed in three readings by the Jogorku Kenesh, addresses long-standing bureaucratic barriers. Previously, there was no unified list of zones likely to contain heritage sites, nor a standard process for registering archaeologists. Weak coordination among state agencies often delayed infrastructure projects.
Under the new rules, the authorized body must now identify and approve zones where cultural artifacts may be located. Archaeological surveys will be mandatory in such areas, and developers must fund the work and coordinate it with authorities.
If cultural heritage is discovered during construction, work may be paused or halted entirely. For areas not included on the official list, archaeological surveys will not be required, expediting land use.
Additionally, excavation procedures have changed: permits will now be issued not by the Institute of History, but by the relevant authority via a formal “Open Sheet.” Clear regulations on registration, reporting, and accountability for archaeologists have also been introduced.
