This laboratory is the largest Russian center for the study of literature of old believers and old believers鈥� communities as an immense layer of Russian culture. Archaeological study of Siberian region includes the Russian Far East and Kazakhstan. Started in the 60-ies, it is still continued today in the following areas:
- Field Archaeography 鈥� the collecting books for future preservation, the study of 鈥渄ormant鈥� books from old libraries, and the description of books which are still circulating in their holders鈥� communities;
- Cameral Archaeography 鈥� the study and detailed description of books available in funds of the Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts at the State Public Scientific Techological Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences which has one of the largest collections of manuscripts and ancient books, and the study of rare books stored in other archives of Siberia and the Far East. This work contributes to the creation of 鈥淯nited catalog of manuscripts, ancient and rare books in collections of Siberia and the Far East鈥�;
- Editional Archaeography 鈥� the creating of a digital complex of old believers鈥� communities libraries, which is a part of a project called 鈥淩are Books of Siberia鈥�. The work includes making a detailed description for each manuscript, and publishing handwritten books which are kept in Siberia and are known for their considerable scientific and national significance d the Far East鈥�.
The research goes in collaboration with the Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts at the State Public Scientific and Techological Library (SPSTL) (Head of the Department, Candidate of Philology, honored worker of culture of the Russian Federation Andrey Borodikhin.
Head of the branch 鈥� Doctor of Philology, Professor Elena Dergacheva-Skop
