Under reports of archeologists the first settlements of early farmers and cattlemen in territory of modern Almaty have appeared in X-IX centuries b.c.
Silver dirham, minted in the city of Almatu (1285—86 a.c. ). In VI-III centuries b.c. Alma-Ata became a place of dwelling Saks and later Usun tribes. Saks's barrows 
concern to this time, found out on territory of Alma-Ata and areas adjoining it. Largest of them in height up to 20 meters and diameter at the basis over 100 meters settled down on the coast of the rivers Big and Small Almatinka, Vesnovka, Aksay. Today the majority of barrows are buried under a housing estate.
Later certificates are dated VIII-X centuries a.c. Under the certificate of the Genoa merchants in 
vicinities of Almaty there were some city settlements. One of them referred to Almaty (according to legends of the coins minted in this city) and was on the trading way from the Europe to China — the Great Silk way.
The beginning of XIII century and the Mongolian gain has brought heavy ordeals to the cities of Ilijskaja valley including Almaty. Dying of the Great Silk way negatively has affected development of city. By the end of XVI century there was only small part in the form of a large aul from Almaty.
The arms of city Vernyi gas approved on April, 11th, 1867. The base to modern city was put on February, 4th 1854 when the decision was accepted to construct on the left bank of the river 
Small Almatinka military fortification. In spring 1854 near to ruins of ancient Almaty, the construction of Zaliyskoe fortification has begun, named later Vernoe. Major Peremyshelsky and the engineer — lieutenant Aleksandrovsky supervised over construction. By autumn of the same year building works have been finished. 470 soldiers and officers of Zaliysk group were placed in timbered wooden houses and a barracks.
From the middle of 1855 immigrants start to arrive in fortification. Vernyi starts to develop quickly with their arrival. Greater and Small Almaty stanitsas, Tatar suburbs sprang up near fortification. In 1856 the Kazan garden has been incorporated (nowadays the Central recreation park), and in 1857 the first watermill has been constructed in area of Tatar suburb. The first brewery put into operation in 1858 has begun a local manufacturing industry. By May, 1859 there numbered 5 thousand inhabitants in fortification, and in 1860 the first post office and hospital have been opened.
On April, 11th, 1867 the city Vernyi becomes the center of Semirechensk region in structure of Turkestan general-governorship. On July, 13th, 1867 Semirechensk Cossack army has been approved. Arms of Semirechensk region has simultaneously been confirmed: a board twisted by a garland of apple branches with fruits, laid out into three fields. The upper one — image of a fortress, lower: at the left — a cross, at the right — a half moon. Becoming the center of Semirechensk region Vernyi has started to develop the industry and crafts.
Alcohol and vodka distillery and brewing factories, factory on manufacture of rough-woolen cloth have appeared. The largest enterprises of city were tobacco factories of Gavrilov (1875) 
and Kadkin (1900). In city female and man's schools, приходские and craft schools, and later both man's and female grammar schools have been opened. Muslim schools operated at mosques.
On May, 28th, 1887 there was the strongest earthquake, 322 persons were lost, 1798 brick houses have been destroyed. The structures of Greater and Small stanitsas erected from wood have less suffered. Subsequently the seismic and meteorological station under direction of the architect A. P. Zenkov has been organized and the system of the account of seismicity at construction of buildings has been worked out. After earthquake wood began to be used basically for building in city.
Large buildings of city have been built from it — the House of military assembly, the Cathedral, the House of public assembly, etc. Some constructions of that period were kept and now they are monuments of history, architecture and protected by the state. In memory of tragedy the townspeople have put a chapel which has been taken down in 1927.
On the eve 1913 more than 41 thousand person lived in city, there were 59 industrial enterprises.
In 1918 the Soviet authority was settled in Vernyi. City with region were a part of the Turkestan autonomy of RSFSR. In 1921 Vernyi has been renamed into Alma-Ata. On April, 3rd, 1927 from Kyzylorda to Alma-Ata the capital of Kazakh ASSR in structure of RSFSR was transferred. It became an additional push to intensive building. Since 1936 (from the moment of formation Kazakh ССР) Alma-Ata was capital first of KazSSR, and then of independent Kazakhstan.
In 1997 the capital has been transferred to Astana by the Decree of the President of Kazakhstan Republic Noursultan Nazarbaeva. At present Almaty is the scientific, cultural, historical, industrial and financial center of the country. On July, 1st, 1998 the Law on the special status of city has been passed. Almaty informally is called «Southern capital».
