KBSU students and archaeologists of the Hermitage work on a monument of the 7th century BC
On August 15, an unofficial professional holiday of archaeologists of Russia is celebrated. Unofficial because its appearance is not associated with any state decree. In our country, archaeological expeditions in the field work mainly in the warm season, and therefore representatives of this fascinating type of activity decided to celebrate their professional holiday in mid-August.
In Kabardino-Balkaria, together with the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H. M. Berbekov, the North Caucasian Archaeological Expedition of the State Hermitage has been working for several years, headed by Yulia Vladimirovna Marchenko, Assistant Director of the Hermitage for the Development of Museum Relations.
“In August 2021, work is being carried out at the Upper Kurkuzhin burial ground,” Yulia Vladimirovna said by phone. — Dating of the monument to the 7th — 4th centuries BC. The monument belongs to the western version of the Koban culture (early Iron Age), and by studying it, we can learn more about the people who lived in the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria two and a half millennia ago, learn about their culture and funeral rites.
At the end of the on-site period, work is to be done in the restoration laboratory. In early September, we plan to present preliminary results of this year’s expedition to KBSU.
The group working in the field in the Baksan district of the KBR includes the deputy head of the expedition, archaeologist Mark Kotin, ceramics restorers Kristina Vladimirovna Lavinskaya, Alexey Borovikov, metal restorer Marina Grigorievna Borovikova, artist Pazova Elizaveta Stanislavovna, anthropologist Yekaterina Vladimirovna Pugacheva center «Hermitage-Caucasus» Astemir Guchaev and Beslan Makoev, as well as students-trainees receiving education at KBSU in the direction of training «History».
“Some students have been traveling with us for several years already. They are involved in excavations and are also involved in restoration work, — added Yu.V. Marchenko. — During the expedition, we acquaint students with the basics of archeology, cover the issues of restoration of those objects that we find during excavations. During the expedition, we try to find time for lectures and master classes on archeology and restoration. »
The profession of an archaeologist is now very relevant, because according to Russian legislation, before the construction of buildings, technical structures, work on expanding the road bed, etc. it is necessary to conduct archaeological research — archaeologists are required constantly.
Director of the Social and Humanitarian Institute of KBSU, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of General History Muslim Tamazov explained that interaction with scientists from St. Petersburg, the opportunity to receive professional knowledge and competencies from them is a unique opportunity for students of a regional university. Since 2016, when an agreement on cooperation between the Kabardino-Balkarian State University and the State Hermitage was signed, about a hundred students have taken part in the work of the archaeological expedition.
In 2017, KBSU entered into an agreement with the State Historical Museum. Thanks to the support of specialists from the Hermitage and the State Historical Museum, it was possible to restore archaeological practice among students of history. Those who showed interest in archeology and restoration were given the opportunity to undergo an internship at these leading museums in the country, and a number of graduates entered postgraduate studies in archeology. »
A major event in the life of KBSU in April 2021 was a scientific and practical conference on the results of the work carried out in 2020 in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic at the sites of cultural and archaeological heritage. It was attended by representatives of a number of major institutions of culture, science, education — scientists from Moscow, St. Petersburg, subjects of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts, other regions of the country.
Oleg Gontar, the head of the Department for State Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites of the KBR, explained then that there are 417 cultural heritage sites on the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria, of which 114 are objects of federal significance, 303 are regional. In fact, there are thousands of monuments, but not all of them have been identified. Only specialists who have the right to carry out archaeological field work can identify the object of cultural heritage.
As the scientists explained, all the finds found in the excavations after the publication of scientific works will be deposited in the funds of the National Museum of the KBR. They will be in demand both by specialists in the field of archeology of the North Caucasus and by a wide range of people interested in the history of the region and our republic.