In 1969, archaeologists discovered the remains of a youth of about 16-18 years old in a funeral suit decorated in gold at an ancient burial grave dated to approximately 1000 BCE. This set of gold-embroidered armour, hat, and boots were recreated by scientists and professional replicators along with other precious artefacts found at the site of the Issyk burial mound in southern Kazakhstan. The costume together was quickly named The Golden Man.

The costume includes a high cap decorated with winged horses, snow leopards, trees, birds, and wild rams. It is decorated with many gold plates and gold jewellery that were made by pressing or stamping the bas relief symbols. All gold pieces were sewn onto the rough leather and because the original was in such good preservation, the replicator team was able to reconstruct this attire theorized to be that of a young person, possibly a prince or priest. This 1st millennium BCE archaeological find of the Golden Man shows the developed culture of the Kazakh people and is a symbol of Kazakhstan’s national heritage. Another replica is also on display at the State Museum of Gold and Precious Metals of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana. 

The gift was presented to the United Nations by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan A. Nazarbaev and was accepted by Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It has travelled internationally to exhibitions in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.