Abstract: Skeletal remains from the burials of timber-grave period of the Late Bronze Age originating from kurgans of the Archedino-Chernushensky group served as the material for this research. The archaeological monument is located in the territory of the Frolovsky Municipal District of Volgograd Oblast. The remains of 12 individuals (6 adults, 4 children, and 2 adolescents) were explored. In the course of this research, the author applied the method of account for the occurrence of discretely varying traits on the skull and bones of postcranial skeleton, as well as evaluation program for dissemination of pathological characteristic developed by the national researchers A. A. Movsesyan, E. V. Pererva, A. P. Buzhilova. The archaeological explorations of group Archedino-Chernushensky Kurgan group were carried out in 2020. Therefore, the acquired anthropological materials are introduced into the scientific discourse for the first time. The author was able to establish that the equal number of children and adult burials can be attributed to timber-grave period. The examined skeletal remains of the Late Bronze Age of the Lower Volga Region demonstrate the signs of episodic stress (enamel hypoplasia) and distribution of diseases related to the deficiency of microelements in the body (porosis of the diaphysis in individuals who did not reach the age of puberty). The records of such type of deviations on anthropological materials of deviations indicates chronic stress associated with systematic occurrences of famine, which is natural for the population of the Late Bronze Age of the Lower Volga Region, who were involved in mixed farming. The excavations reveal the series of injuries of household and battle nature among adult population. The prevalent burial method of timber-grave culture Archedino-Chernushensky Kurgan group of appears to be the cremation ritual.   

Keywords: stress, traumas, paleopathology, Late Bronze Age, Lover Volga river rigion, mound group, srubnay culture, cremation, skulls, burials

Abstract: This article examines the hierarchical systems established in Buddhist communities of Central Asia.  Hierarchies are viewed in the spiritual context: by level of taking of vows, educational attainment, level of practical implementation of knowledge, rank in the institution of “Reincarnated Lamas”; as well as hierarchies important in administrative context, such as levels of responsibility, governance of monasteries, rank within the structure of state administration, and interaction with government institutions. It is noted that genetically all of them ascend to Teacher – student hierarchy. This work explores the evolution of these hierarchies under the changing historical conditions, as well their complex interrelations. It is demonstrated that hierarchical system evolved depending on such factors, as the development of monastic education, increased role in the communities of “Reincarnated Lamas”, shift in the role of monasteries within state administration along with the role of government in regulation of the religious institutions. It is determined that hierarchies partially intersected, but also diverged due to the possibility of relatively autonomous practice of Sutra and Tantra, which formed different types of communities –  sangha and ganachakra respectively. In Russia, Buddhist communities were integrated into the system of state-religious relations, which required centralization of religious community resulting in the fact that the administrative church structures took the central stage. Liberalization of state control of the religious activity in post-Soviet Russia led to the emergence of multiple secular Buddhist associations that practiced Mahayanist and tantric methods structured as ganachakra. The central place was held by the structure of religious hierarchy along with “Teacher – student” relations. The conclusion is made that such structural differentiation of Buddhist communities is the results of the natural course of self-determination of various traditions in the conditions of freedom of religion.

Keywords: social dynamics, Mahayana, Russian Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Sangha, social structure, history of Buddhism, religious practice, hierarchy, Buddhist communities

Abstract: The subject of the study is the study of the main directions of medical care for children of Western Siberia during the Great Patriotic War. Based on previously unpublished documents, data on the organization of measures for the medical and sanitary care of evacuated children, the development of a network of specialized children's institutions located in the department of the People's Commissariat of Health: nurseries, orphanages, children's hospitals and polyclinics, consultations, maternity homes, etc. were analyzed. Materials on changes in the staffing of these medical institutions, measures to improve the professional level of medical workers are presented. The nature of changes in the quality of medical care for children aimed at reducing their morbidity and mortality is investigated.The main conclusion of the study is that children's healthcare in Western Siberia, which experienced a number of problems in the pre-war period, was not ready for a multiple increase in workload with the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. The lack of resources has led to a deterioration in the quality of care provided to the children's population, which has led to an increase in morbidity and mortality among children. Despite this, the health authorities throughout the war years conducted systematic work to strengthen children's healthcare. Ultimately, the efforts made made it possible in 1943 - 1945 to reverse the situation with child mortality and achieve its significant reduction.

Keywords: morbidity, evacuation, The Great Patriotic War, Western Siberia, children's consultations, nursery, mortality, children's healthcare, the medicine, orphanages

Abstract: The subject of this article is the Aznayevo settlement – dwelling site of Bashkirs of the late Middle Ages and Modern Age located in the territory of Ishimbaysky District of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The main goal of this work consists in introduction into the scientific discourse of general information on the monument, as well as materials acquired in the course of archaeological research conducted in 1998 and 2016. Special attention given to the analysis of findings that characterize the economy and way of living of its inhabitants. For clarification of the chronological framework and establishment of relation of Aznayevo settlement with the Bashkir neighboring villages Aznayevo and Khazinovo, the author attracts archival and cartographic material. The article also employs historical-comparative and descriptive methods of analysis of the artefact. The conducted archeological research show that Aznayevo settlement, which supposedly was the winter encampment for the local Bashkir population in the XVII – XIX centuries has existed for a long period of time. In the course of its expiration, were acquires new materials that characterize the economic activity, spiritual and material culture of Bashkirs in the past, including certain aspects that were poorly covered in the ethnographic and historical literature. At the same time, they contribute to examination and reconstruction of ethnogenetic and ethnocultural processes that unfolded in Southern Ural in the late Middle Ages and Modern Age, as well as in the preceding time.

Keywords: traditional economy, Bashkirs, archaeological exploration, excavations, Bashkortostan, late archaeology, Aznaev settlement, spiritual culture, material culture, maps

Abstract: The problematic area of this research is the evolution of organizational forms of statistical science in the Russian Empire. The author analyzes the establishment of statistical studies in the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences. The article relies on the basic methods of historical science: problem-chronological, historical-genetic, and historical-comparative. Modern methodology allowed determining the role of the Academy of Sciences in the process of institutionalization of statistics in Russia, as well as highlighting the objective and subjective factors affecting the trajectory of its development. Special attention is given to analysis of the fundamental principles of political science – the early vector of statistical science, which define the form of statistical descriptions during the period under review. In the course of this research, it is deemed that alongside Russian scholars, an important role in the advancement of statistical knowledge was played by the invited into the Academy European professors. They contributed to proliferation of the German model and principles of political science in Russia. It is noted that at the initial stage the development of statistics was based merely on personal enthusiasm of certain academicians, as prior to adoption of the Regulations of 1803 this discipline fell outside the academic curriculum. The article analyzes various forms of support of statistical studies by the Academy – assistance to scholars in overcoming administrative barriers in acquisition of materials from state departments; publishing activity; distribution of statistical knowledge via periodicals. The conclusion is made that the emergence of new scientific centers in the early XIX century led to gradual loss of leading position of the Academy in the area of statistical studies. This was substantiated by the specificity of organizational form, limitation of material and human resources of the historically first scientific organization in the country.

Keywords: Konstantin Ivanovich Arseniev, Carl Theodor Неrmann, Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov, Ivan Kirillovich Kirilov, Statistical Description of Russia, History of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, History of statistics, August Ludwig von Schlözer, Peter Ivanovich Keppen, Statistical journal

Abstract: Shapsugs in the first half of the XIX century were the largest group of Adygs and settled in several natural zones of the north-western Caucasus – on the plain, in the foothills, in the mountains, on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The article explores the mutual influence of traditional economy and cultural landscapes of Shapsugia, i.e. the dependence of agriculture and cattle breeding of that period on the landscape and other natural conditions, and the transformation of landscapes in the course of human economic activity. The article implements an ethnoecological approach and uses a comparative method to identify the features of economic activity and cultural landscapes in various parts of Shapsugia, as well as the main options for adapting shapsugs to the natural environment. Such a comparative study was conducted for the first time. Previously, this issue did not arouse sufficient interest among scientists. It is concluded that Shapsugs had different ways of adapting to the natural environment. This was expressed in the different ratio of agriculture, cattle breeding and gardening on the plain and in the mountains, in the use of various agrotechnical techniques, in the cultivation of various types of crops and in the breeding of various types and breeds of livestock. It was also noted that the cultural landscapes of the lowland Shapsugia had great similarities with other lowland areas of the northwestern Caucasus inhabited by the Adygs, and the Black Sea coast - with more southern lands where Ubykhs, Sadzis, and Abkhazians lived.

Keywords: viticulture, gardening, cattle breeding, agriculture, cultural landscape, shapsugi, the adygs, north-western Caucasus, black sea coast, adaptation

Abstract: The subject of this article is the content of the foreign electronic archival documents of U.S. departments dedicated to the analysis of situation in the Soviet Union. The goal consists in carrying out a historiographical analysis of foreign documentary heritage of the United States within the framework of comprehension of historical experience of the development of the Soviet Union in the 1970s – 1989. The object this research is the published materials of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Historical Sector of the U.S. Department of State, which contain records on the analysis of development of the Soviet Union during this period. Relevance of this topic is substantiated by increased of the publically available foreign electronic archival materials, which requires their analysis, description, determination of information capacity, as well as assessment of information contained therein for further utilization in the historical (humanities) research on the contemporary history of Russia. The novelty is defined by the fact that this article is first based on interpretation of foreign historical sources to describe the capabilities and limitations of different types of published intelligence documents of the CIA and the U.S. Department of State that characterize the development of the Soviet Union in various spheres. Introduced into the scientific discourse documents allow concluding on the prospects of using the heritage of the U.S. electronic archives in the scientific research, as well as assessing their veracity and reliability. The authors note that these materials contain valuable information on the U.S. policy with regards to the USSR, and analytical awareness on socioeconomic development of the Soviet Union during the 1970s – 1980s. It is established that in many cases publication of the foreign archival documents is often of tendentious nature.

Keywords: Cold War, sanctions, Afghanistan, digital archive, foreign relations, source studies analyses, sources, CIA, Soviet Union, détente

Abstract: The subject of this research is the documentation of party organization of the Moscow Automobile Factory named after I. A. Likhachev (known fully as the Public Joint-Stock Company – Likhachov Plant ZIL, Moscow Automobile Society AMO ZIL) as a source on history of the enterprise. The goal of this research consists  in determination of information capacity and possibilities of using documentary materials accumulated as a result of work of the primary party organizations of industrial enterprises of the Soviet period, namely with regards to the least studied aspects: social conditions, socio-psychological, and socio-cultural. The analysis of sources demonstrates that the materials of factory party organizations, particularly Moscow Automobile Factory named after I. A. Likhachev, represent one of the most valuable groups of sources in studying the history of a single company and industrial enterprise. They feature high information capacity on the key aspects of the company, including social. It is underlined that the party documentation was used by the Soviet researchers fragmentary and at times not objectively for multiple reasons; therefore, one of the tasks for the historians lies in comprehensive reconstruction of reliable scientific history of enterprises overall, and their party organizations in particular.

Keywords: factories and plants, AMO ZIL, PO ZIL, production association, Likhachev, car factory, party organization, documentation, historical source, social aspects

Abstract: The subject of this article is the assessments of national researchers on various aspects of shipbuilding of the Azov Fleet in 1695-1712. The goal consists in revealing the key issues in development of shipbuilding industry as one of the branches of domestic military production by means of critical analysis and generalization of results of research conducted by the Russian scholars. The author examines the factors  and prerequisites for selecting Voronezh as the center of construction of the Azov fleet, the key stages and evolution of shipbuilding industry and activity in the Voronezh Region, establishment of administrative branches and role of foreign experts thereof,  results of shipbuilding of the Azov Fleet and its impact upon further development of shipbuilding industry in Russia. The novelty of this study consists in analysis of the works of national researchers dedicated to shipbuilding of the Azov Fleet for covering the problem of establishment of shipbuilding sectors of the Russian military industry, clarifying and generalizing debating points on the subject matter. The article describes the influence of the conditions of shipbuilding of the Azov Fleet upon the course of shipbuilding works and the image of forming shipbuilding industry. The factors of institutionalization of shipbuilding industry, the course of development of the first shipbuilding cluster in Russia, as well as the results of short-term and long-term shipbuilding activity of are revealed.

Keywords: Voronezh Admiralty, ship, shipyard, Azov fleet, shipbuilding industry, shipbuilding, Azov campaigns, iron works, ship masters, foreign specialists

Abstract: The subject of this research is the images of Siberia conveyed in the travelogues of English and American travelers who visited the Russian Empire at the turn of the XIX – XX centuries. Using the method of imaginal geography, the author attempts to reconstructs the initial representations of foreigners on the region, and their transformation during the visit. Interest towards Siberia among the travelers aroused due to the writings of G. Kennan, who translated image of the land, where political prisoners were exiled to. The authors of travelogues did not hide their desire to see the depicted horrors, although their trip to the region has transformed these perceptions. The conclusion is made on versatility of the image of Siberia in the writings of English and American travelers. The initial representations on the land of exiled were rather clarified; the focus of attention shifted from the political prisoners to the criminogenic situation of the region. However, most travelogues tried to show a “different Siberia”, creating a new image of the resourceful Russian colony, which has yet to fulfill its economic potential and overcome cultural and economic discrepancy with the European “core”. Such shift of tone, from the land of exiled to the land of opportunities positively affected opinion of the society on the Russian authorities.

Keywords: prison system, England, USA, the notes of foreigners, travelogues, representation of images, the image of Siberia, resettlement policy, Transsiberian railway, imaginal geography

Abstract: This article analyzes an isolated case within the framework of trend of jubilee mania – recent centenary celebration of the Revolution of 1917 in Italy. The author believes that many historical events reappear on the horizon when assigned to play an important role in modern politics. The article describes how the Italians view the Revolution and how it helps to explain modern Russia. The research is carried out within the framework of methodology of public history. Having examined a wide variety of sources (online articles, articles in newspapers and magazines, scientific writings, information on the congresses and conferences, exhibitions, concerts, etc.), the author attempts to demonstrate how the Russian revolutions are reflected in the Italian public opinion. The conclusion is made that the Revolution plays an important role not only in modern Russia, in Italy as well. The latter believe that the Revolution is still present in their culture and politics, correlates with their own path of political history of the XX century, including the powerful Movement for the left that emerged in the country after the World War II. At the same time, Russia did not give due attention to celebration of the centennial anniversary, focusing rather on the victory over Hitler, since this event projects the glory of the Soviet Union onto the modern Russian Federation.

Keywords: Bolsheviks, February Revolution, October Revolution, jubilee mania, politics of memory, Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky, Communism, propaganda

Abstract: The subject of this research is the land relations of Kuban Cossacks viewed through the prism of normative legal institutionalization. Special attention is given to the problem of land use of kuren and stanitsa farm settlements. The author examines the peculiarities of land use of Black Sea and Line Cossacks, questions of population and development of Kuban in the XIX century. Methodological platform is comprised of the general scientific principles of historicism, objectivity, alternativeness and systematicity, which gives a comprehensive perspective upon the problem of land use of Cossack settlements and reconstructs a holistic historical picture of research. Self-containment of land relations of Kuban Cossacks remained a phenomenon of local history for a long time, and is yet to be examined in modern Russian historiography. The following conclusions were made: 1) free use of land in Kuban in the late XVIII – early XIX centuries was gradually replaced by more restrictive measures for normative regulation of land relations; 2) practice of permissive type of legal regulation developed into the replotting system of land distribution in Kuban Cossack Army chronologically define reallotment of land; 3) initial restrictions in multiple Cossack communities with regards to  the use of wild lands spread onto the use of any land, and crop lands became the first category in allocation of lands in Kuban.

Keywords: stanitsa, farmstead, Cossack hut, land use, Cossack settlements, Kuban Cossacks, land matters, Kuban, resettlement, land development

Abstract: The object of this research is the trade relations between Russia and the German states after the Congress of Vienna, established in the conditions of the large-scale customs reforms. Such changes were substantiated by the provisions of the Final Act and the need for renewal of trade systems in accordance with the relevant requirements. The article examines the stages of trade relations prior to the creation of the German Customs Union, which led to fundamental changes in trade situation in the German space. The author also analyzes trade in the initial years of existence of the German Customs Union for assessing its effectiveness and role in foreign trade relations between the German states and Russia. The main conclusion consists in confirmation of the thesis on sustainable trade relations with Prussia as the key trade partner of Russia in the German space. This conclusion was made due to the absence of evidence in the available sources and historiography on trade relations with other German states, except scarce information on the trade with Hanseatic League. After the establishment of the German Customs Union, Prussia is still in the picture of the Russian foreign trade statistics, which testifies to its crucial role in the new union and international disregard of the German Customs Union in the initial years of its existence. The article may be valuable for the audience studying the economic history of Russia and the German states in the first half of the XIX century.

Keywords: protectionism, free trade, Prussian history, Customs` history, Customs` reforms, German Zollunion, Economic history, German history, Foreign trade, custom rate

Abstract: This article describes the finds (glass pieces, byproducts, fragments of items) discovered on the site of former Lava factories, which were initially owned by V. Elmsel (1730), and in 1738 passed to the public coffers. Factories on the Lava River manufactured window glass by casting on a metal plate, as well as hot-glass items and window glass using lunar method. The glass composition and color varied: ash matter (“Cherkass glass”) was green; and potash glass was pale blue or grayish hue, discolored with cobalt and manganese. The factory also produced blue glass painted with cobalt. The analysis is conducted on the document that contains the order of the Palace Chancellery for manufacturing glass items on the Lava factories. The scientific novelty consists in the following: establishment of the location of glass factories on the Lava River; systematization of the finds and conclusion on hot and cold glass manufacturing techniques; description of the discovered fragments of glassware, mirror and window glass in comparison with similar items preserved in the museum collections and found during the archaeological excavations in Moscow; description of cooperation of Lava factories with the Saint Petersburg glass factory in execution of the Palace. The conducted research allows attributing certain items stored in the private and museum collections to the items manufactures by Lava factories. The author concludes on the need for archaeological excavations on the site of Lava factories.

Keywords: glass blowing, glass vessels, coloured glass, Lava glass factory, glass production, russian glass, history of glassmaking, glass goblet, brocken glass, window glass