Prof. Founded by M.E. Masson in 1940 (1940–1967).
At the department:
- prof. G.B. Lunina (1967–1981),
- dots. Z.I. Usmanova (1981-1992),
- prof. A.S. Sagdullaev (1992-1998),
- prof. R.Kh. Suleymanov (1998-2006, 2009-2014),
- dots. T.U. Salimov (2007-2009)
- prof. F.B.Ochildiev (since 2014).
were the head of the department. During the activity of the department, prof. M.E.Masson, acad. G.A.Pugachenkova, g.f.d. N.G. Mallitsky, B.Ph.D. L.V. Oshanin, D.Ph.D. A.A. Semyonov, I.I. Petrushevsky, S.N. Zamyatinin, prof. V.P. Smirnov, Ye.V. Davidovich, B.A. Litvinsky, E.V. Rtveladze, V.M. Masson, V.I. Sarianidi, Yu.F. Buryakov, O.B. Obelchenko, B.D. Kochnev, N.I. Krashennikova, Z.I. Usmanova, G.Ya. Dresvyanskaya and other famous scientists worked there. They are among the most influential scientists not only in Uzbekistan, but also in the world.
M.Ye. Masson is an academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan (1944) and an honored scientist of the Turkmen SSR. He organized the South Turkestan Archaeological Complex Expedition, the Termez Archaeological Complex Expedition, and the Kesh Archaeological and Topographic Expedition under the department.
As a result of M.Ye.Masson’s work at the department, the Central Asian Archaeological School was founded. Among the graduates of the department, academicians with Ph.D. in science – Yu.F.Buryakov, E.V.Rtveladze, A.Sagdullayev, V.I.Sarianidi; professors – B.A.Litvinsky, V.M.Masson, R.Kh.Suleymanov have made great contributions to the restoration of Central Asian archaeology and history. Of them, academician A.Sagdullayev and professor R.Kh.Suleymanov are currently working at the department.
S.A.Sagdullayev created the scientific school “Archaeology and History of Central Asian Statehood”. He discovered monuments of the 10th-8th and 7th-4th centuries BC, unknown to the science of Central Asian archaeology. He is the organizer and scientific director of large-scale archaeological research in the Kesh-Shahrisabz oasis in order to substantiate the 2700th anniversary of the city of Shahrisabz. For his services, he was awarded the Order of “Mehnat Shuhrati” by the Decree of August 27, 2020.
R.Kh. Sulaymonov was the first to introduce the method of mathematical statistical analysis into the science of archaeology. This method is widely used in the study of other Paleolithic settlements of Central Asia. Under his leadership, it was determined that the cities of Nakhshab (Karshi) have a history of at least 2700 years, and the anniversaries of this city were widely celebrated. R.Kh. Suleymanov was awarded the “Beruniy” Prize, the “Order of Friendship of Peoples” and the “Bobur” Medal. He is an Honored Scientist of Uzbekistan.
The Department of Archaeology and Ethnology offers:
- “Archaeology”,
- “Anthropology and Ethnology”
Bachelor’s degree programs:
- “Archaeology”,
- “Ethnogenesis (Ethnic History of the Uzbek People)”
Master’s degree programs are being prepared.
