A thorny path to science

The article is based on unpublished archival sources and reveals the vicissitudes associated with the publication of monograp hs and the defense of dissertations by the well-known Siberian historian and archaeologist Alexei Pavlovich Umansky. His contacts with the leading Russian humanitarians - Siberian experts: A.P. Okladnikov, L.P. Potapov, V.G. Mirzoev, L.R. Kyzlasov, N.A. Minenko, which are of interest for the study of scientific communication as one of the basic mechanisms of the functioning of the sci entific community, are analyzed. The publication touches upon issues related to the daily scientific life of the researcher ("historiographical way of life"), as well as psychological problems caused by the need to overcome numerous difficulties on the way of scientific advancement. One of the conditions for the defense of a doctoral dissertation was the publication of the monograph, which for a provincial scientist within the existing system of organization of science was of great complexity. A tangible concrete help and substantial support to the competitor was provided by Academician A.P. Okladnikov. The article for the first time examines the polemics between L.P. Potapov and A.P. Umansky and analyzes an anonymous review o f his monograph, which was received by the Higher Attestation Commission. A conclusion about the superficial and tendentious nature of the review was made, largely based on historiographical stereotypes, often paying tribute to the political conjuncture. Almost 15 years of life A.P. Umansky spent on overcoming all difficulties with the publication of the monograph and defending the dissertation work. At the same time, the paradox and even the tragedy of the situation with his scientific advancement lies in the fact that the main material on the topic was collected, and much of the work in the draft version was written in an earlier period, even before the beginning of the preparation of the doctoral dissertation. A huge part of the time and energy was subsequently spent on overcoming bureaucratic obstacles and solving various organizational matters. Thus it is necessary to pay tribute to persistence and purposefulness of the scientist, who after each failure managed to find the strength and to move again in the chosen direction. Modern authors, dealing with the history of the peoples of the south of Western Siberia, appeal to the materials of A.P. Umansky in describing the eventual side of Russian colonization, describing the ethnopolitical formations that existed here, studying interstate and interethnic contacts. Based on a thorough analysis of the vast archival material, the judgments and conclusions of the researcher still have a significant weight, and he is a recognized expert in the scientific world on teleut problems.

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