Mari Archaeological Expedition: People and Destinies

Dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of the Mari Archaeological Expedition, the article elucidates some key facts related to its history and scientific endeavors of its team archaeologists. The author introduces its leaders A.Kh. Khalikov, G.A. Arkhipov, V.V. Nikitin, as well as many other archaeologists and defines the role of the MAE in training of the regional archaeologists. Massive archaeological sources of all ages uncovered by the expedition set numerous questions to the researchers. The work on these questions involved large circles of specialists and PhD and graduate students from different cities. Today, it is important to ensure that the MAE history be documented and take its deserved place in the history of the national archaeology.