In search for treasures of Hero Khara-Jia-Jun. Unpublished works of S. I. Rudenko

Irina V. TUNKINA

The name of Sergei I. Rudenko, a great archaeologist of the 20th century, a discoverer of the famous Pazyryk Mounds, is well-known to all specialists in the ancient history of Siberia and Far East. The Saint-Petersburg Branch of the Archive of RAS has some unpublished monographs of the scientist. One of these monographs is devoted to the Dead City of the ancient Tangut Empire.

In the after-war years, the archaeologist performed large investigations in Kamchatka and Gorny Altai. The State Hermitage exposition has materials of his excavations. They characterize the bright and original culture of Altai nomads of the Scythian epoch. These include unique finds, such as leather and felt goods, among them clothes, world’s oldest carpets and fabrics, weaponry and harness articles, wooden chariots, jewelry, and other pieces of art.

These discoveries, comparable with those in the period from the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, made Dr. Rudenko's name world-famous. Now the readers have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with one unpublished work of the outstanding scientist: the popular scientific book "Dead City of the Ancient Tangut Empire" (1968).

More information on these and other subjects you can find in the printed version of our journal.