Русские Туркестанские экспедиции 1909–1910 и 1914–1915 годов: итоги и перспективы изучения архивных материалов

Abstract

In 2018–2020, a group of researchers of the project “The Second Russian Turkestan Expedition of Academician Sergei Oldenburg in 1914–1915. Unpublished Materials from RAS Archives” have identified and prepared for publication the entire body of primary scientific documents from RAS archives. The documents fully cover the work of Russian researchers in studying Qianfodong and Turpan Oasis. Through their efforts, the works that undoubtedly represent the greatest achievements of Russian Oriental studies in their entire history are being introduced to academia. The biographies of all the participants of the works have been largely restored, and their previously unknown correspondence has been prepared for publication. The key result of the research was the preparation for publication of Academician Sergei Oldenburg’s “Description of the Qianfodong Caves near Dunhuang”. The importance of Oldenburg’s paper in the site study has only increased over the past century.
 The most promising areas for further work include the restoration and preparation for printing of the photographic archive of the Second Russian Turkestan Expedition consisting of over 2,000 images stored in the State Hermitage Museum. The publication of this photographic archive will completely fill a major gap in the history of Russian Oriental studies.