The publication is a collection of scientific works by a team of authors. It includes articles on the theory and methodology of studying cultural genesis and cultural heritage, and on the historical phenomenology of cultural heritage. The collection is addressed to culturologists, philosophers, historians, art critics and anyone interested in the problems of studying culture. The publication was prepared by the Department of Theory and History of Culture of the Russian State Pedagogical University. A.I. Herzen and sums up the results of the theoretical seminar of graduate students of the department for 2008 - 2009. Dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Doctor of Historical Sciences Vadim Mikhailovich Masson.