Marghulan Alkey Hakanuly (11.05.1904-12.01.1985) – a literary scholar, art historian, orientalist, and founder of the National Archaeology School. A full member of the All-Union Geographical Society, Doctor of Philology, academician of the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences, and an honored figure in science of the Kazakh SSR.

In 1921, he enrolled in the Semey Technical School, where the well-known Kazakh educator Abikey Zeyinuly Satpaev was the director (in 1939, Alkey Hakanuly married Raushan Abikeykyzy, the daughter of A. Satpaev). While studying in Semey, Alkey Hakanuly maintained connections with the editorial offices of the "Tañ" magazine and the "Kazakh Language" newspaper. Here he met Mukhtar Omarhanuly Auezov, and their friendship developed into a long-lasting respectful relationship. Together with M. Auezov, he visited the birthplace of Abai in Shyngyshtak, where he met Abai's son Turagul and Abai's grandson Jabiriyl, who beautifully performed Abai's songs. During these years, Alkey Hakanuly became acquainted with the famous Kazakh poet Magzhan Jumabayuly and maintained a friendly connection with him.

Marghulan authored over 300 scientific research works related to history, archaeology, ethnography, literature, art (applied and architectural arts), and metallurgy, as well as more than 100 encyclopedic articles, and trained several generations of Kazakhstani ethnographers, archaeologists, and historians. Some of M.'s scientific works have been translated into foreign languages. In 1991, the Archaeology Institute named after Alkey Marghulan was established based on the Archaeology Center of the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Ethnology of the Kazakhstan National Academy of Sciences.

His 100th anniversary was celebrated at a global level by the decision of UNESCO (2004). He was a laureate of the Ualikhanov Prize of the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences (1967) and the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR. He was awarded the Lenin, Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and the Order of Friendship of Peoples, along with various medals.