RESEARCH ASSISTANT, KAZAKHSTAN

While Ilyas is currently studying marketing he is inspired by the contribution to the study of his native region by digitizing the data of archaeological sites using GIS for the CAAL project. Prior to this, he took part in expeditions to East Kazakhstan in the district of Zaisan Lake and at the same time mastered the use of satellite maps to discover new archaeological sites. He also worked at the International Institute for Central Asian Studies in Samarkand and during this time participated in an expedition to Karakalpakstan to collect data from local historical monuments for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage nomination list. These adventures have had a lasting impact, especially the region of the Altai Mountains and Lake Zaisan due to its significant role in Turkic history. When he is not looking for archaeological sites, Ilyas can be found enjoying 20th century literature, cinema and cycling.