NEWS

On October 4, 2025 the Geopager Archaeology team representing the Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences successfully passed the qualification stage of the Expedition. Earth All-Russian Technological Contest organized by the NTI Fund and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. A total of 24 teams from Russian regions participated in the contest, seven of which reached the finals, including Geopager Archaeology.

The contest is aimed at developing application methods and technologies for unmanned ground vehicles designed to detect and classify objects on the surface and underground at a depth of up to five meters. Testing takes place in real settings – at archaeological and engineer reconnaissance sites. Expedition. Earth therefore combines technical creativity, advanced robotics and practical tasks of archaeology to create a unique platform for interaction between engineers and humanitarians.

The Geopager Archaeology team unites experts and organizations representing both academic and applied science. It includes the Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, the Scientific Research Laboratory of Quantum Magnetometry of the Ural Federal University, PROFTSIFRA LLC, Quantum Magnetic Pipe Test LLC and New Geodetic Systems LLC.

The Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Khalikov has a significant capacity and experience in the field of implementing high-technology solutions in archaeology. Over the last several years the Institute has actively developed geophysical surveys, digital recording and cultural layer data analysis using the contemporary methods of magnetometry, georadar probing and 3D modeling. Due to these competencies, the team successfully passed qualification tests, proving the high integration level of scientific knowledge and engineering solutions.

The team is preparing for final trials which will take place in areas with real archaeological sites. At the next stage, the participants will solve tasks of finding hidden artefacts and elements of ancient structures using robotic complexes, sensors and spatial data analysis systems.

On September 25-27, 2025 the Astrakhan State University named after V.N. Tatischev hosted the Scientific Field Seminar “The Lower Volga Region in the Middle Ages”. The event was organized by the Astrakhan State University named after V.N. Tatischev, the Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, the Mari State University, the Belgorod State University and the Astrakhan company Arkheotsentr LLC.

The seminar was attended by 29 researchers from eight Russian cities. The plenary meeting on the first day was opened by representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Astrakhan Oblast, Prorector of Astrakhan State University Ekaterina Pakhomova, President of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences Rifkat Minnikhanov, Director of the Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences Ayrat Sitdikov and Director of the Astrakhan Museum-Reserve Aleksey Bulychev. After eight reports, the participants visited the Archaeology. Expedition. Museum exhibition at Zeughaus exhibition complex in Astrakhan Kremlin.

On the second day, the participants went on a road trip to archaeological sites of the Migration and Khazar periods. At Kirakle-tobe, Maly Kostyube-1 and Baraniy bugor settlements, tours were guided by Deputy Director of Arkheotsentr LLC Damir Soloviev, Assistant Professor of the Belgorod State University Vladimir Sarapulkin and Senior Research Associate of the Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Khalikov Renat Valiev. Then, featured reports were presented at Semibugry school.

The last day of the seminar was dedicated to the Golden Horde. The participants visited Krasnoyarskoye settlement, a mausoleum complex near Lapas village and Selitrennoye settlement. Daria Belyanina from Arkheotsentr and Sergey Kotenkov from the Caspian Branch of the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented a report at Krasnoyarsk Museum. The tour of mausoleums and excavations at Selitrennoye settlement was guided by Director of the Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Khalikov Ayrat Sitdikov and Leading Research Associate of the Institute of Anthropology and Ethnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Emma Zilivinskaya.

At the seminar, the participants discussed the topical issues related to studies of medieval towns and monuments of the Lower Volga, witnessed the results of most recent field studies and familiarized with the newest discoveries.

A new exhibition dedicated to the Narovchat settlement, the ancient Golden Horde city of Nurijan, opened on September 24, 2025. Hosted at the Museum of History of the Statehood of the Tatar People and the Republic of Tatarstan in the Kazan Kremlin, it showcases the deep historical ties between this important site and the Tatar people.

The exhibition features over 200 artifacts discovered during archaeological investigations of the Narovchat site. It also showcases the results of work by the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, conducted as a part of the state program of the Republic of Tatarstan, “Preservation of the National Identity of the Tatar People.” This program focuses on the historical and archaeological study of medieval cities and the historical and cultural Turkic-Tatar heritage located outside the republic.

The exhibition was organized by the Kazan Kremlin State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve, the Institute of Archaeology TAS, the Narovchat District Museum-Reserve of the Penza Region, and the Penza Museum of Regional Studies.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming addresses by A.A. Timerkhanov, Vice-President TAS; R.R. Salikhov, Academic Secretary of the Department of Humanities TAS and Director of the Institute of History named after Sh. Mardjani TAS ; S.V. Skudin, Head of the Narovchat District; A.G. Sokhryakov, Director of the Narovchat District Museum-Reserve; K.M. Vinnicek, Deputy Director of the Penza Museum of Regional Studies; and I.M. Mirgaleev, Head of the M.A. Usmanov Center for Research on the Golden Horde and the Tatar Khanates at the Institute of History TAS.
Such initiatives are particularly valuable as they promote the popularization of scientific knowledge and foster a careful attitude towards historical memory, especially for the Tatar people, whose roots are deeply intertwined with the history of the Golden Horde and its legacy.

This exhibition continues a series of projects dedicated to the Golden Horde cities of the Volga region. Previously, the Kazan Kremlin hosted an exhibition about the city of Ukek and the exhibition project “In search of ancient kingdoms…” which were visited by over 25,000 people. Future plans include organizing exhibitions dedicated to other capital cities of the Golden Horde. Preparations are currently underway for an exhibition focusing on city of Qasim (Kasimov), the capital of the Qasim Khanate.

For many years, the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences has been conducting systematic archaeological studies at the Golden Horde period sites along the Lower Volga, including the Narovchat settlement, as part of the state program “Preservation of the National Identity of the Tatar People.” This underscores the importance of studying the Turkic-Tatar historical and cultural legacy both within and beyond the republic’s borders. The research findings have significantly expanded our understanding of the history of this city and its role in the Golden Horde. According to some sources, it was in Narovchat that Uzbek Khan decided to declare Islam the state religion of the Golden Horde, a move that profoundly influenced the subsequent history and culture of the peoples inhabiting the Golden Horde.

The exhibition will be open until February 15, 2026.

KAZAN, September 19, 2025 — At the Kazan Digital Week–2025 International Forum, Guzel M. Saifutdinova, Head of Department of Geoinformation Technology at the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, was awarded a diploma for the best scientific paper. Her work, “Geoinformation systems and 3D reconstruction:iIntegration of methods for the preservation of archaeological heritage sites,” won in the “Digital technologies in culture” category.

It is noteworthy that this is the second victory for specialists of the Institute of Archaeology TAS at this prestigious competition in two years. Last year, first place was awarded to the paper “Online GIS ‘Cultural heritage of Tatarstan and the Tatar people’: development prospects”.

The award ceremony was attended by the President of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences Rifkat N. Minnikhanov and Minister of Digitalization of Public Administration, Information Technologies and Communications of Tatarstan Ayrat R. Khayrullin, who personally presented the award to the winner.

The research by Guzel Saifutdinova demonstrates an innovative approach to preserving archaeological heritage using modern digital technologies. The paper has been published in the forum’s official proceedings and is available on the event’s website at the following link:
https://kazandigitalweek.com/upload/doc/results/2025/sbornik_2025.pdf

This achievement highlights the leading role of the Republic of Tatarstan in the development of digital technologies and their application for cultural heritage preservation.

On September 19, 2025, the second stage of the 12th Bolgar International Archaeological School was inaugurated at the Ahmet Yassawi University. Welcome addresses at the plenary session were delivered by: Zhanar A. Temirbekova, Rector of Ahmet Yassawi University; Evren Rutbil, Director of the International Institute for Central Asian Studies; Rifkat N. Minnikhanov, President of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences; Asemgul D. Kasenova, Deputy Director General for Science of the Margulan Institute of Archaeology of the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Ayrat G. Sitdikov, Director of the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences.

The School is attended by 36 participants: postgraduates, doctoral candidates, young scientists, and specialists from five countries: Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. The instructors are specialists from scientific and educational centers in Russia, Hungary, Greece, China, and Bulgaria. The program of the International Archaeological School will cover such relevant interdisciplinary fields as “Fundamental principles of the experimental use-wear analysis methodology for ancient tools” and “Documentation of UNESCO archaeological sites.” And, as is tradition, the School’s work will conclude with a final international youth research-to-practice conference, “Interdisciplinary research in archaeology: achievements and challenges” (September 27, 2025), where participants will present reports on the results of their research.The first stage of the School was held, as usual, in Bolgar from August 12 to 25, 2025. This session focused on the preservation of historical and cultural heritage—specifically, the restoration and conservation of archaeological artifacts made of various materials (metal, organic materials, ceramics, and stone).

The Bulgarian International Archaeological School is an annual scientific and educational event. Its objective is to bring together scholars from various countries and scientific and educational resources to present and introduce the latest achievements of world science within educational programs, as well as the practices of studying and preserving world historical and cultural heritage.

The second stage of this research and educational project is organized by the International Institute for Central Asian Studies (Samarkand, Uzbekistan), the Margulan Institute of Archaeology (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Ahmet Yassawi University (Turkistan, Kazakhstan), the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov TAS (Kazan, Russia).

(Kazan, September 18, 2025) — Specialists of the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences took an active part in the international forum Kazan Digital Week 2025, held at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre. The researchers presented reports at key sections and demonstrated an operational geographic information system (GIS) at a specialized exhibition.

Within the forum’s business program, the presentations by representatives of the Institute were focused on the application of advanced digital technologies in the field of culture and the preservation of archaeological heritage.

At the “Digital technologies in culture” section, a report was delivered by Guzel Maratovna Saifutdinova, head of the departmen of geoinformation technologies. In her presentation on “Geographic information systems and 3D reconstruction: integration of methods for preserving archaeological heritage sites,” she elaborated in detail on how the combined use of GIS and 3D modeling technologies enables the creation of precise digital twins of archaeological monuments. This is critically important for their documentation, condition monitoring, and virtual reconstruction.

Polina Ivanovna Dergunova, a research fellow at the departmen of geoinformation technologies, delivered a lecture. Her presentation, titled “Digital technologies in the preservation of archaeological heritage sites,” provided an overview and analysis of a wide range of tools—from aerial photography to machine learning methods—used in modern archaeological practice.

Another significant event for the Institute was its participation in the All-Russian scientific and practical conference “Heritage in the Digital Age!” as part of Kazan Digital Week 2025. Ramis Rustamovich Mukhametshin, head of the information and editorial department, presented a report “Online GIS ‘Cultural heritage of Tatarstan and the Tatar people: prospects for development.'” He discussed the future directions for a large-scale digital project aimed at consolidating humanitarian knowledge.

The practical embodiment of this research is the geoinformation system “Cultural heritage of Tatarstan and the Tatar people,” which was presented at the forum’s exhibition in Pavilion No. 2. Visitors to the stand were able to see in real time how this system, which serves as a unified digital space, integrates a vast array of data: over 92,000 records on archaeological sites, historical objects, archival materials, and the language and culture of the peoples of Tatarstan and the Volga region.

Participation in Kazan Digital Week 2025 allowed the Institute of Archaeology not only to showcase its cutting-edge developments at the federal and international level, but also to share experiences with leading experts in the field of digitalization, thereby defining new vectors for interdisciplinary research.

The Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences under the state program of the Republic of Tatarstan “Preservation of the national identity of the Tatar people,” continues archaeological research in the city of Kasimov. The work is focused on studying the mausoleum of Arslan Khan of Kasimov (died in 1626) and his wife, the khanate’s last ruler, Fatima Soltan (died in 1681).

Kasimov was the capital of the Kasimov Khanate, one of the Tatar states that emerged after the dissolution of the Golden Horde. The khanate existed until the end of the 17th century. Following the reign of Fatima Soltan, the Kasimov Tatars dispersed eastward, settling in the territories of what is now Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Bashkiria, and Siberia.

The mausoleum of Arslan Khan, a descendant of Kuchum Khan from the Siberian dynasty, has not survived to the present day; however, its location was described in detail by previous researchers. Before the start of field work, archival research was carried out, which made it possible to accurately determine the location of the structure. In 2024, geophysical surveys revealed the structure, dimensions, and exact location of the mausoleum, enabling the initiation of archaeological excavations in 2025.

As a result of the investigations, at the level of the 3rd layer, the outlines of the mausoleum’s wall were revealed. Based on the geophysical survey data, it was determined that the mausoleum consisted of two chambers. In the southern part of the structure, at the first chamber, a gravestone was found, and an entrance to an underground crypt (the Khan’s ziyarat) was revealed. In the northern part of the structure, at the second chamber, a poorly preserved brick floor was cleared.

During the expedition, specialists from the Institute of Archaeology TAS delivered a lecture “History of the city of Kasimov based on archaeological research data” for local historians of Kasimov and the Tatar community of the city.

Today marks the anniversary of renowned scholar and popularizer of cultural heritage, Rafael Mirgasimovich Valeev.

His path into science began as an archaeologist under the guidance of A.Kh. Khalikov. Today, R.M. Valeev is known for his work in cultural studies, art history, and museology. He pays particular attention to the preservation and promotion of historical and cultural material and non-material heritage. To this day, he remains the leading force behind the inclusion of sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Institute of Archaeology of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with Rafael Mirgasimovich, continues to conduct expert assessments of historical and cultural sites in Russia and the near abroad according to UNESCO international standards.

We wish Rafael Mirgasimovich good health, many years of scientific creativity, inexhaustible energy, and infectious, energizing optimism!

In the archival photo of the 1981 USPAC participants, R.M. Valeev is in the front row, third from the left.

Photos used are by G. Sagieva, from the archive of the Institute of Archaeology TAS, and from personal archives.