Theoretic and methodological issues of Western Siberian archaeology in new formation conditions

Theory and methodology form the foundation of science. Based on this premise, the work aims to study and evaluate the theoretical and methodological aspects of Siberian archaeological researches (in the 1990-2020s) of the pre-literate period of history. Based on special literature and author's abstracts of candidate and doctor thesis, it can be concluded that the complex of the traditional basic methods of archeology are still in use. At the same time, there is a search for new methodological approaches in formation of such sub-branches as petroglyph study, historical archaeology, ethno-archaeology (in terms of N.A. Tomilov's school). As for the general methods of humanitarian and social sciences, some transformation has been noticed in Western Siberian archaeology. In new conditions in Russia, it is embodied in implementation of structuralism, diffusionism and determinism ideas. The structuralism methods specifics consist in syncretism with a system approach which was actively included in Russian archaeology in the 1970s. The determinism ideas appear in the research of human adaptation to the environment. The radical point of view is presented in the works of individual researchers. Among the variety of directions in diffusionism, the theory of "cultural diffusionism" is being introduced into West Siberian archeology. The article presents actual theoretical issues of local archaeology. The most important of them, according to the author, is the problem of studying the content of the transition period between the Stone and Paleometal Age. It is defined by 6 terms in modern Western Siberian archaeology. An independent problem is the transformation or change of cultural types in the taiga zone, in which the transition between epochs took at least a thousand years. These phenomena have not been explained yet either theoretically or from the point of view of the development of historical and cultural processes. The theoretical aspect deals with the Early Bronze Age dating of Seima-Turbino assemblages in the forest-steppe Ob region. The reasons of the simultaneous existence of two militant ethno-cultural formations in Western Siberia (Sargatka culture and Kulay culture), what is more, in the unique chronological range from the Scythian period to the Early Middle Age, need to be explained. The conclusion part contains an aspect of archaeology history. It deals with the role of Western Siberian archaeological and ethnographic conferences concerning science development in the region, particularly theory and methods for 50 years. It has been concluded that at the actual stage of development, Russian archaeology is rising to a new level preserving the best traditions of Soviet period.

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