Тhе activities of archaeological subdivision in the system of People's Commissariat for Education of RSFSR in 1923-1926: plans and reality

The article deals with practical activities of the administrative unit created in 1918: the Archaeological subdivision (subordinated to the Department of Museums and Preservation of Monuments of Arts and Antiquities of the People’s Commissariat of Education of the RSFSR) in 1923-1926. The author traces the main directions of work of the subdivision: participation in the development of the first Soviet law on protection of cultural (including archaeological) heritage; in the creation and strengthening of a network of museums, repositories of archaeological collections; and in the regulation of field research. She highlightes huge role of the department head, the outstanding archaeologist V.A. Gorodtsov, who at that time was ex officio the chief administrator of Russian field archaeology.