Actio in Distans: South American Studies in Russian Archaeology. Part II

This part discusses the post-Soviet period of development of the study and research of ancient South America. The relevance is determined by the existence of a “scientific tradition” of studying South American archeology by Russian archaeologists since the beginning of the XIXth century. The authors review the history of Russian archaeological research of South America in the designated period on the basis of published works, scientific activities of famous specialists (Y.E. Beryozkin, V.A. Bashilov, S.A. Sozina, A.V. Tabarev, E.S. Levanova, etc.) and expedition projects. Like many research fields American studies in Russia in the 1990s overcame a time of crisis. Despite this, some Russian scholars were able to complete internships in foreign scientific and educational centers for the first time. In the 2000s–2020s publishing (in particular, monographic) activities are being intensified, trips are being carried out, including archaeological expeditions to the South American continent, the number of students and young scientists specializing in the archaeology of pre-Columbian Latin America is increasing. In particular, during these years an American studies center was formed in Novosibirsk (Institute of Archeology and Ethnography SB RAS; Novosibirsk State University). One of the most important projects of this center, together with archaeologists from the Far Eastern Federal University, was the organization and, subsequently, conduct of the first Russian archaeological expeditions in South America (Ecuador) in 2014–2015, 2017–2018. As a result of review, the importance of South America as an international scientific platform is indicated. Also, confidence is expressed in the prospects for further research by Russian archaeologists in this region, which is significant in such a research direction as Pacific archaeology.