New Film Botai: The Lost World Explores the Birth of Horse Domestication

Filming has begun for Botai: The Lost World, the first feature-length film about the ancient Botai culture. The project explores a pivotal moment in human history, when the Botai people first domesticated horses over 5000 years ago. It is set in Petropavl and the surrounding regions of modern-day Kazakhstan. The Botai culture was first uncovered in 1980 by archaeologist Viktor Zaibert in the Aiyrtau District. These early settlers were among the first in the world to tame horses, a development that transformed transport, farming, and the growth of civilisations across Eurasia. Their achievements left a lasting impact on the Great Steppe.

The film seeks to bring the Botai story to a wide audience. It promises a new look at the region’s ancient past and has already been called one of the most important cultural events in the area. The movie will highlight the historical significance of the Botai people and their role in shaping early human progress. It aims to connect modern viewers with a culture that changed the course of history through the domestication of the horse.