The article is devoted to the study of Eduard Sarkisovich Markaryan’s who contributed the formation of the science in culture. The main directions of scientific activity of the scientist are analyzed, first, the development of activity theory. Perceiving many innovative scientific trends of his time, Markaryan successfully integrated them into cultural studies, he was one of the first who turned the ideas of systemic research and synergetic, drawing attention to the prospects of their application in relation to understanding the nature of culture. Markarian proposed one of the first concepts of the morphology of culture, which includes the unity of three subsystems – natural-ecological, socio-economic and socioregulatory. E. S. Markaryan’s significant contribution for development of science which was the study of the essence and role of traditions in cultural processes. A significant part of the scientist’s works is at the interdisciplinary intersection philosophy, cultural studies, ethnography, anthropology, sociology, political science. The article provides an overview of the most remarkable events of the beginning of the XXI century dedicated to E. S. Markaryan.