The article reconstructs an episode of the scientific biography of the archaeologist N.E. Makarenko. The basis for the reconstruction is his letters to archaeologist and art historian M.I. Rostovtseff written in 1927. These documents kept in the archive (library) of Duke University (USA) provide information on the development of archaeology in Ukraine in the mid-1920s. The events of earlier periods are also mentioned which makes it possible to clarify the scientific and private biography not only of N.E. Makarenko (in particular, the period of his work in the Hermitage Museum), but also that of M.I. Rostovtseff. Makarenko’s letters complement the source base on the history of archaeology and museum activities in Ukraine in the 1920s and on the situation in scientific milieu of the «Russian abroad» accumulated to date. Makarenko’s letters to Rostovtsev may also be used in reconstructing one of the early stages of the Soviet state’s science policy in the field of archaeological excavations, in particular, organization of joint international expeditions.
Ananiev et al. (Wed,) studied this question.