A. A. Spitsyn and medieval archeology of the Omsk Irtish area

A history of archeological researches of the Western Siberia including the Omsk Irtysh Area has one essential gap. It doesn't tell about the contribution of outstanding archeologist A. A. Spitsyn (1858-1931). In 2008 we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of his birth. From the beginning of the 1890s A. A. Spitsyn was a Vice-Chairman of the Imperial Archeological Commission, took the most direct participation in preparation of materials of «Reports of the Archeological Commission» (1892-1915), and also has published a series of monographic editions in which was reflected medieval archeology of the Omsk Irtysh Area. The analysis of the contents of «Reports» and monographs allows us to come to a conclusion that A. A. Spitsyn during the 1890s - the first decades of the 20th century constantly held in sight medieval antiquities of the specified region. He started the work on chronological attribution of his medieval materials, studying of metal cult pendants. A. A. Spitsyn initiated the beginning of scientific studying of medieval objects of the north of the Omsk Region. He possesses an outstanding place in a history of archeological research of antiquities of the Western Siberia, and the Omsk Irtysh Area in particular.