The book was written by archaeologist and historian Alexander Alexandrovich Formozov. He is rightfully considered an outstanding researcher of the culture and art of the primitive era on the territory of our country, and at the same time, the founder of the historiography of Russian antiquities. In this work, he selected and brilliantly analyzed a series of important moments in the history of the humanities, primarily archeology, in Russia in the second half of the 19th – early 21st centuries. Recreating expressive portraits of many Russian scientists, a panorama of the social situation of their lives and activities, the author, on this factual basis, shares with readers his conclusions and thoughts regarding the moral and ethical foundations of scientific knowledge. For historians, archaeologists; as well as all those who are interested in socio-psychological problems of the development of science; in particular – young researchers, graduate students and degree seekers.