In this article, we consider the problem of the formation of Krasnoyarsk archaeology in the field of Paleolithic studies. The purpose of the article is to publish the letters of Georgy Sosnovsky to Nikolai Auerbach. These unpublished materials were found in the archives of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Part of the correspondence is kept in the Krasnoyarsk Museum and the archive of the heirs of Nikolai Auerbach. The documents substantially supplement the information about the initial period of the archaeologists' activity. The correspondence reflects the events of 1918 – the initial period of the Russian Civil War. The plans of researchers of this time are considered. The content of the published letters is supplemented by a description of the activities of Georgy Sosnovsky to Nikolai Auerbach in 1919–1920. Correspondence testifies to the significant role of partners and senior mentors in the life of Georgy Sosnovsky. One of his teachers at the Krasnoyarsk Museum was the Austrian archaeologist Gero von Merhart (Gero Merhart von Bernegg). The Austrian archaeologist Gero von Merhart, who, in letters to the director of the Krasnoyarsk Museum Arkady Tugarinov, gave Georgy Sosnovsky both positive characteristics and critical feedback. At the same time, he noted: “He needs a school and practice under supervision”. In the final part, we present the opinion of Georgy Sosnovsky about his mentor at Irkutsk University, Professor Bernhard Petri. Along with respect, he sometimes disagreed with his teacher. In the opinion of Georgy Sosnovsky, the classification of the Neolithic cultures of Eastern Siberia, developed by Professor Petri, could not be applied to the Yenisei province. He also disagreed with Petri about the identity of the Paleolithic sites Afontova Gora and Verkholenskaya Gora. In the end, we conclude that Georgy Sosnovsky, having gained a certain independence and fame in his student years, became a prominent representative of the emerging Irkutsk scientific school of archaeology.

Vdovin Alexander Sergeevich, Candidate of Sciences (History), Senior Researcher, Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum of Local Lore, 84, Dubrovinskii st. Krasnoyarsk, 660049, Russian Federation, e-mail: vdovin2002@bk.ru

Makarov Nikolai Polikarpovich, Candidate of Sciences (History), Head of the Department of Archaeology and Ethnography, Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum of Local Lore; 84, Dubrovinskii st., Krasnoyarsk, 660049, Russian Federation, e-mail: mnp@kkkm.ru

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