The basis of the archaeological research of the ancient Turkestan was set by the Patriarch of the Central Asian archaeology Mikhail Yevgenyevich Masson.
In the focus of interests of the researcher were such ancient Kazakhstan cities as: Taraz, Sairam, Shymkent and Turkestan. Masson M. Y. put particular attention to studies of the Khodja Akhmed Yasawi's mausoleum. In 1928, 7 dug holes were set by his supervision to study the foundation of the mausoleum and it showed extra materials for history of this construction. Later the scientist dedicated different publication about the mausoleum.
Professor M. E. Masson published fundamental works on the history of mining and metallurgy, historical geography, archaeological topography of ancient cities, art history and applied arts, epigraphy and numismatics of the Central Asia.