Archaeological research in the Chemal District of the Altai Republic has long been a key focus for scientists from Altai State University. For over ten field seasons, members of the Chemal expedition have been investigating sites spanning a wide range of chronological periods, from the Eneolithic to the Middle Ages. This year, for the first time, the research will be carried out in collaboration with the Russian Military Historical Society. The goals of the expedition were outlined by its leader, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Professor of the Department of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Museology, Nikolai Seregin.
- In recent years, there has been a marked increase in interest in the ancient history of the Turkic peoples as an integral part of Russian history. Due to the limited availability of written sources, archaeological research remains essential for further exploration of this topic. Altai, with its rich concentration of significant archaeological sites representing various stages in the history of nomadic peoples, should be considered one of the main centers for such work. Unfortunately, the number of scientific expeditions operating in the Altai Republic remains very low. For this reason, the international expedition organized this year with the support of the Russian Military Historical Society is particularly significant. The research will involve staff from the Research and Educational Center for Altaic and Turkic Studies “The Greater Altai” at Altai State University, as well as colleagues from leading scientific and educational institutions across CIS countries. We plan to investigate several sites that will provide insights into different stages of the military and political history of the Turkic peoples. In archaeology, it is difficult to predict results in advance, but our previous research demonstrates that each expedition yields valuable materials, allowing us to make important progress in understanding the past.
An important aspect of the work carried out by ASU archaeologists in the Chemalsky District is the museumification of monuments. According to Nikolai Seregin, this approach enables a clear demonstration of the peculiar traditions of the peoples who inhabited Altai across different chronological periods.
The monuments we study are frequently visited by tourists. This is one of the reasons why reconstructing the ground structures of the sites is an essential stage of our excavations. Moreover, it is increasingly important that our findings extend beyond fundamental science. Whenever possible, we share our research through social networks (such as the "Archaeology of Altai" group), collaborate with travel agencies, and engage with local residents of the Altai Republic. We anticipate that our joint work with the Russian Military Historical Society will play a significant role in popularizing archaeological research in Altai.