Stone sculptures of Zhetysu and Saryarka: spatial patterns, iconography and the concept of a GIS register

The article is devoted to the scientific systematization and digital inventory of Turkic-period stone sculptures discovered in the Jetisu and Saryarka (Kazakhstan). It examines their landscape localization, as well as the iconographic and semantic characteristics of these monuments. The authors propose a methodological model for a unified digital registry, incorporating geographic coordinates, typology, dimensions, iconography, archaeological context, and the preservation of each object. A structured data scheme has been developed with fields for comprehensive documentation attributes, including: monument name, discoverer or expedition, administrative location (region, district), year of discovery, precise coordinates, sculpture dimensions, typology, iconographic elements (presence of vessels, weapons, ornaments, clothing elements), connections with other components of the memorial complex (enclosures, burial mounds, stone sculptures, balbals), chronology, and references to publications. This systematic approach allows data to be standardized, facilitating creation of cartographic visualizations and conducting a typological and chronological comparative analyses of the monuments. GIS modeling has revealed spatial patterns: the majority of sculptures are concentrated at the foot of mountains and in river valleys, and nearly all figures are oriented east ward. The proposed digital registry contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and promotes interdisciplinary research. It can be integrated into national and international monument registries, employed for visualization (interactive maps, virtual museums) and support the development of conservation measures. This work is essential for the further Turkic era, the sacred geography of the region and the reconstruction of the social and religious practices of ancient Turkic communities.