Archaeologists begin first scientific research of Soviet Gulag in Kazakhstan

Archaeologists from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, in collaboration with the organization Gulag.cz, have launched the first scientific archaeological research of a former Soviet Gulag in a post-Soviet country. The expedition is focused on the remains of the Steplag camp located in the village of Terekty near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan.

Between 1948 and 1956, Steplag held over 20,000 prisoners, primarily political detainees from Ukraine, the Baltic states, and other regions, including 20 individuals from Czechoslovakia. The research team, led by archaeologist Pavel Vařeka, has documented remains of both male and female camps, a command center, guard quarters, an economic zone for forced labor, and a forgotten cemetery for victims.

Initial findings challenge existing historical records. While academic literature states that Steplag ceased operations in 1956, glass bottles discovered at the site date between 1959 and 1961. Local testimony from a 78-year-old resident, Mizambaje Bralin, supports this, noting that a female camp for Baltic prisoners was still active in 1959. The project involves cooperation with local historians from Karaganda and Zhezkazgan.