Post-Soviet Heritages in the Making: Archaeology and statecraft in Russia's resource colonies

This book explores the sociopolitical enmeshment of archaeology and heritage in Russia's resource colony: Siberia, using extensive ethnographic fieldwork in the Altai Republic. It argues that heritage is a powerful political instrument, and how different social groups translate archaeological data into culturally distinct heritages. It contributes to debates around the politics of archaeology, resource development, and cultural heritage.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate sociopolitical entanglement of archaeology and heritage within Russia's resource colony: Siberia. Through extensive ethnographic fieldwork conducted in south-central Eurasia, the author offers a comprehensive analysis of the Altai Republic, a region where Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China converge. Employing a "heritage statecraft" approach, Plets argues that heritage holds immense political significance in this region.

The book explores how diverse social groups, such as Indigenous communities, Russian settlers, displaced groups, national and international archaeologists, political parties, and energy companies, interpret and translate "objective" archaeological data into culturally distinct heritages. This insightful exploration contributes to critical debates surrounding the politics of archaeology, resource development, and cultural heritage.

This book is a must-read for academics and students engaged in the study of heritage, archaeology, and memory, as it provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics and power struggles that shape the interpretation and management of cultural heritage in this region.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138656888