A.V. Schmidt: a path from egyptology to the archaeology of the Kama Region. the Perm period of his academic biography (1918–1923)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2026.2.31.42Keywords:
archaeology of the Kama region, Russian Egyptology, history of archaeology, A.V. Schmidt, B.A. Turaev, Perm University, Museum of Antiquities, biographical method, transformation of research interestsAbstract
This study employs a biographical approach to reconstruct the scholary interests and academic career of the eminent Soviet archaeologist A.V. Schmidt. Drawing on a broad corpus of personal documents – including unique correspondence with B.A. Turaev, much of which is published here for the first time –alongside official administrative records from Perm University and the State Hermitage Museum, the paper traces the pivotal stages in the transformation of Schmidt’s academic career. Particular emphasis is placed on his transition from Egyptological research to the archaeology of the Kama region. The study also examines his work at the Museum of Antiquities of Perm University and his role in developing its collections. The study concludes that both the intellectual environment of Perm University and the circumstances of a severe historical period played a decisive role in the evolution of A.V. Schmidt’s academic interests.
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