‘Archaeology of the Arctic’ International Conference Kicks off in Yamal

Salekhard hosted the official opening of the 2nd ‘Archaeology of the Arctic’ International Conference, which is being attended by more than 50 representatives of academic and museum centres in Russia, as well as researchers from Germany.

“Many of you attended the first conference in 2017. The fact that you have come together in Salekhard once again proves that the Scientific Centre for Arctic Studies enjoys the respect of its colleagues from numerous Russian centres. The results of expeditions we conduct together with major research institutes in Russia and abroad are published in top-rated foreign publications and have a significant impact on shaping a new view on the issues that are raised,” said Alexander Mazharov, deputy governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District and director of the Regional Department of External Relations.

During the conference, which runs until 19 March, researchers will discuss such issues as the exploration of sites in northern Siberia, cultural phenomena, the settlement of the northern territories and trade in the Iron Age, technologies and inventions in the cultures of the Late Stone Age in Western Beringia. The reports will cover the chronological period from the Palaeolithic age to the ethnographic present and have a territorial range from Northern Europe to the Far North of Asia.

The first ‘Archaeology of the Arctic’ conference was held in 2017 and was attended by more than 60 scientists from Russia, the United States, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The conference is held to exchange experience and achievements in archaeology in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Eurasia and North America and to learn more about how Russian scientists and international specialists are applying the latest achievements in natural science methods in archaeology.

The conference is organized by the Department of Foreign Relations of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District and the Scientific Centre for Arctic Studies, a state-owned autonomous institution of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.

In 2021–2023, Russia is the chairman of the Arctic Council. One of the priorities of Russia’s chairmanship is international scientific cooperation that aims to enhance the efficiency of research and its practical potential for use in the Arctic. The Roscongress Foundation organizes events during Russia’s chairmanship in the Arctic Council.