There have been posted the interview with Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, Chair of the Department of Ancient World History, the Institute of History and International Relations, SSU, Sergei Monakhov in the Research City section of the SSU website.

Sergei Monakhov is one of the most frequently cited researchers who study antique and Scythian artefacts and culture, the chief expert on ancient amphorae, and the author of authoritative monographies.

In the Amphora Code interview Sergei Monakhov told us about the significance of ancient Greek amphorae for classical archaeology, how Saratov became a recognised centre for the study of ceramic amphorae, how ceramic epigraphy appeared, the features of the Russian collection of antique ceramics, and skills young archaeologists should have. He said about his career path and how the Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage and the Museum of Archaeology, SSU, had been created.

Sergei Monakhov conducted archaeological research in the Western Crimea, on Berezan Island at the mouth of the Dnieper, on the territory of the ancient states of the Northern Black Sea region, in the Elizabethan settlement at the mouth of the Don, on the shore of the Taman Bay, and other places.

In August, he turned 70 years old. In honour of the anniversary of the archaeologist, his colleagues and friends published several books – From the Caucasus to the Danube, The Archaeology of the East European Steppe, and Monakhov 7.0.

By the way, from September 15 to 17, the Department of Ancient World History, SSU, and the Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage will hold the 8th All-Russian conference titled The Word and Artifact: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Ancient History (the committee is traditionally headed by Sergei Monakhov). Everyone interested in ancient history and archaeology is invited to participate.