75th Anniversary of Great Victory: Scientists’ Contribution to the Victory over Fascism. Academician A. P. Okladnikov

Purpose. The 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War is celebrated in Russia in 2020. This article focuses on the research activities of Academician A. P. Okladnikov, whose mission during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945 was to study Yakutia’s ancient history.Results. Yakutia is located in the north-eastern part of Siberia. It is the largest administrative and territorial subject of Russia (3,083,523 square kilometers or 1,190,555 square mile) with a great natural economic and resource potential. The Soviet period in the history of the region is associated with its large-scale development. A. P. Okladnikov’s research initiated the systematic study of Yakutia’s ancient history. His research was conducted during the hardest time for Russia, the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945. Back in 1939, a well-known young scientist, who had earned a PhD and was the author of several discoveries in Siberia and Central Asia, received an invitation from the Institute of Culture under the Council of People’s Commissars of the Yakut ASSR to do archaeological research in the Lena River valley. During the following six years his life was devoted to ancient Yakutia. Conclusion. The monumental task of writing the history of this region was fully implemented. The studies of A. P. Okladnikov are appreciated locally by the State and internationally by the scientific community. The scientist was awarded the medal “For Valiant Labour during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945” and two “Badge of Honor” orders. His scientific ideas are so fundamental that are still highly regarded by students, colleagues and modern researchers.