Historical and Educational Project ‘Gizhiginsk's Archaeological Expedition’ (from 2020 to 2025)

The results of the analysis of museum, archive, and historical sources, the problem-chronological, historical-comparative methods and socio-historical analysis, field research allowed us to justify the significance of the historical and educational project ‘Gizhiginsk's archaeological expedition’ (from 2020 to 2025) and outline the main directions of its realization. We have formulated the components of the Project, the main purpose of which is to study and preserve the cultural and historical heritage of the Magadan region by restoring the history of the archaeological site ‘Ggizhiginsk city’. The geography, tasks, relevance, social significance, content of the work and the expected result are defined; the project implementation prospects are outlined; analogous projects in Russia and the world are identified. The project is aimed at fulfilling the tasks of the Russian geographical society, such as preserving and popularizing the historical and cultural heritage, educating the population, involvement of young people to scientific research, and developing tourism and other.


Introduction
In the middle of the XVII century, the development of the territory of Northeast Asia by Russians began. Pioneers heroically secured impassable remote territories for Russia, and, of course, left evidence of a material culture that was closely intertwined with the cultures of Koryak, Evens, Chukchi, etc. However, at present, the study of the monuments left by the first Russian settlers in the north is not the subject of research Scientists mainly focus on the cultures of the indigenous population of Siberia, Yakutia, the Far East or the archaeological study of the region (Ackerman, 1998, Ackerman, 2011, Ponkratova, 2005. Nevertheless, the study of indigenous cultures without involving materials from the monuments of the Russian population is not entirely legitimate. In Siberia and the Amur over the past decades, the first Russian settlements were studied (Vizgalov et al., 2008, Shakhovskoy, 1818. In the territory of the Magadan region, such studies were not conducted, although similar monuments of this period are known. One of the 'forgotten' settlements is Gizhiginsk, whose history began in the middle of the 17th century, and which from a small prison was turned into an outpost city in the 18th century on the far outskirts of Russia (Vdovin, 1995). The city of Gizhiginsk is a key monument to the movement of explorers, the Russian development of the North of the Far East of Russia in the 17th and early 20th centuries in the Magadan Region. The campaigns of the Cossacks Mikhail Stadukhin, which in 1651 at the mouth of the Gizhigi River 'set up a winter house' and Ivan Baranov, after which in the summer of 1652 the Yakut customs issued 'travel certificates' to Chondon (Gizhiga), are connected with him; Abraham Ignatiev, whose report to the Okhotsk office, marked on April 14, 1752, is considered to be the date of the founding of the Gizhiginsky fortress, and from 1757 cargo began to arrive by ship on ships in Gizhiginsk by sea (Alekseev, 1996, Burykin, 2015, Vdovin, 1995, Safronov, 1988. In 1779 in Gizhiginsk a famous researcher of northeastern Siberia, geographer, ethnographer, historian Shmalev T.I. managed to make peace with the Chukchi toyons, as a result of which the Chukchi were declared subjects of Russia (Alekseev, 1996, Safronov, 1988. On March 2, 1783, by the registered Decree of Catherine II, Gizhiginsk became a city that performed the most important function of establishing relations with Aborigines in order to expand and protect the territory of Russia (Speransky, 1813). The names of famous people like a diplomat Jean Baptiste-Barthelemy de Lesseps (1801Lesseps ( -1802, Doctor Slyunin (1900) are also associated with Gizhiginsky. As well as a clergyman Metropolitan Nestor (2003), geographer Dietmar (1901), commander of the Okhotsk port Shakhovsky (1818, 1822), Russian traveler, geographer, ethnographer, writer, explorer of the Far East Arsenyev (1925), ethnographer Jochelson (1908) and others (Vakhtin, 2001). Gizhiginsk and its environs were of interest to those who cared for the welfare of the state and people, and those who were interested in the wealth of this land of furs, gold, walrus fang, etc. Moreover, for the Soviet state Gizhiginsk was important because Komsomol and party organizations were formed here; a school was functioning, where the children of Gizhiginsky district studied. The remote location of the city from the sea and the center, lack of infrastructure, epidemics are among the reasons for its decline and oblivion (State Archive of the Magadan Region, 2018, Archive of the Administration of the North Evensk City, n.d., Severo-Evensk Regional Museum, n.d.). Scientists, travelers, administrative figures left descriptions of Gizhiginsk. Analysis of descriptions, as well as materials from archives, collections of laws, etc., revealed the stages of its history (Kon, 2019). Attraction of attention to the city of Gizhiginsk with the aim of its scientific study and preservation as an object of cultural and historical significance through the implementation of the historical and educational project 'Gizhiginsk Archaeological Expedition' (hereinafter referred to as the Project) seems relevant.

Methods
To prepare the project, museum (Severo-Evensk Regional Museum, n.d.), archive (State Archive of the Magadan Region, 2018, Kon, 2017, Archive of the Administration of the North Evensk City, n.d.), historical (Arseniev, 1925, Dietmar, 1901, Lesseps, 1801-1802, Metropolitan Nestor, 2003, Speransky, 1813, Safronov, 1988, Silnitsky, 1902, Slyunin, 1900, Shakhovskoy, 1818, Shakhovskoy, 1822, Jochelson, 1908, Vakhtin, 2001 sources were analyzed, allowing to highlight materials on the history of Gizhiginsk. The problem-chronological method was used, which made it possible to tentatively outline the chronological sequence of the historical stages of the city of Gizhiginsk, as well as the historical-comparative method and socio-historical analysis, which made it possible to compare the studied processes that took place in the North of the Russian Far East with the events in the country. In 2019, a survey was carried out of the Gizhig population of the descendants of Giziginsk residents to clarify the information obtained at the preliminary stages of the study. In July 2019, an expedition to the place of future research was carried out to determine their prospects. Its implementation was made possible with the participation of the Magadan Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society, Northeastern State University (hereinafter NSU), and the Amur Region Heritage Conservation Center. Support for the expedition, including financial, was provided by the Government of the Magadan Region and member of the Board of Trustees of the regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society Dontsov. The expedition was attended by the director of the Heritage Conservation Center of the Amur Region Volkov, staff and students of Northeastern State University candidates of historical sciences Ponkratova, Lebedeva, Kazimirov and Bragin Explorer of the expedition Kon.

Results
The result of the research was the 'Gizhiginskaya archaeological expedition' project announced by a grant from the Russian Geographical Society (hereinafter referred to as the Society) (project leader Chairman of the Regional Society Nesterovich). Project Objectives:  The study of the cultural and historical heritage of the Magadan region through the restoration of the history of the 'city of Gizhiginsk's archaeological site, which in its history passed from the prison to the city (mid 17th and early 20th centuries). 1. Search, systematization, analysis of historical information about 'the city of Gizhiginsk', identifying the main stages in its history. Conducting archaeological surveys on the territory of the 'Gizhiginsk city', the discovery and preservation of material culture traces of the 17th and early 20th centuries and their scientific study. 2. Training and education of youth through the organization of archaeological practice based on the Gizhiginsky archaeological expedition. 3. Popularization of history through publications on the process and the results of ongoing work on the study of the object 'Gizhiginsk' in the federal and regional media, the organization of tourist routes and volunteer movement. The Magadan Region (North Even District) represents the geography of the Project, the cities of Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, Yakutsk, and Moscow. The following provisions determine the social significance of the Project: Firstly, the North of the Russian Far East is a territory with a rich cultural heritage, most of which are archaeological sites. This heritage must be studied and protected. The most effective way to preserve archaeological sites is to carry out systematically archaeological excavations, which, due to the most complicated logistics, insufficient human and financial resources, are almost impossible in the region today. Secondly, there are the remains of an old abandoned cemetery on the territory of 'the city of Gizhiginsk', where burial sites of human remains of the 17th and early 20th centuries are located. According to data obtained during a survey of the population of Gizig (descendants of Giziginsk residents), some of the human remains in 1938 were allegedly 'dumped' on the territory of the disassembled church, and another part is still in destroyed houses. The exhumation of the remains in the process of archaeological research, identifying the causes of mass deaths of people, their family ties and their reburial should be a worthy tribute to the population of the Russian Far East. Thirdly, illegal excavations have been carried out on the territory of the proposed study for several years in order to obtain spectacular artifacts for resale on the black market; information about the object as a potential search place is available in the 'Treasure hunter, Search engine, and Metal detector' group on different social networks. Moreover, in this situation, enlightenment among the population is extremely important, aimed at creating a responsible attitude of residents to the monuments of the past, increasing the level of legal literacy of the population, and attracting young people to archeology. Fourth, the project 'Gizhiginsk's Archaeological Expedition' is an attempt not only to restore the lost pages of the history of the first city in the North of the Far East of Russia, but to establish contact between professional archaeologists and society to join forces while preserving the region's historical heritage. Analogue projects in Russia and the world are the cultural and historical project called 'Albazin Expedition' and the Monument of Archeology and Ethnography of Federal Importance 'Mangazeya Ancient City'. Thanks to archaeological excavations of the Mangazeysky and Albazinsky fortresses, valuable artifacts were obtained that supplemented the history of the new time of Russia in its remote territories (Vizgalov et al., 2008, Cherkasov, 2012 work on the site, exploring the area through land work and aerial photography using a quadrocopter, field office work (i.e. cleaning artifacts and their possible conservation in the field), preparation of reporting documentation on archaeological work, delivery of archaeological collections to museums and the Research Institute, etc. It is particularly important to form a working team consisting of the head of the expedition, excavation workers, a cook, a correspondent for operational coverage of the expedition's media; team delivery to the excavation site and back; arrangement of a field camp, including the purchase and delivery of equipment and products to the excavation site and vice versa and ensuring the protection of the collective from animal attacks (i.e. excavation area is the habitat of a large number of bears). 3. Conducting laboratory research, including compiling a catalog and restoration of archaeological finds, carrying out radiocarbon, chemical and other analyzes of artifacts. 4. Presentation of project results, in particular information support of the project and publication of research results in the media, and articles in scientific and popular science publications. Expected Project Results: 1. Making scientific discoveries, and as a result, gaining new knowledge about the history of Russian development of the Far East; including the introduction into scientific circulation of new archaeological, historical data from the funds of the State Archives of the Magadan Region, the Magadan Regional Museum of Local Lore, the archive and museum of the North Even District urban district of the Magadan Region, etc. 2. Giziginsk is the only city on the territory of the Magadan Region that existed in the 17th and 19th centuries and the collection of artifacts obtained during its study can become a reference for this period in the history of the region, and will complement historical documents.
3. Attracting the attention of the public to the historical and cultural heritage of the North of the Far East of Russia as a whole and the Magadan region in particular. 4. Promoting the cultural and historical education of the younger generation. Within the framework of the expedition, a field archeological school can be organized under the guidance of teachers from the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Northeastern State University, who have experience in this practice, in order to patriotically educate the young generation and familiarize themselves with the history of their native land. In the Field School Program, lectures on the history and culture of the native land, master classes in experimental archeology, events aimed at developing communication skills, creative abilities and developing practical skills in working with unique archaeological materials are possible. 5. Promotion of tourism in the Magadan region. In this direction, it is relevant to conduct oneday excursions for tourists to the fieldwork site of the Gizhiginsky archaeological expedition; attraction of tourists for excavation work as volunteers. Prospects for the implementation of the project after the expiration of the grant: 1. The publication of a monograph on the history of Gizhiginsk, one of the first outposts in the Russian Far East in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the first city on the territory of the Magadan Region.

Discussion
The proposed project meets the objectives of the Company in the framework of targeted work to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Russia; educational, research activities to realize the country's potential; wide involvement of youth in scientific creativity in the field of geography, history and local history. The project is focused on the fulfillment of such tasks as the preservation, use and popularization of the historical and cultural heritage of Russia as a subject of national pride, the preservation and enhancement of the traditions of the Russian geographical society, and so on (Charter of the Russian Geographical Society, 2014).

Conclusion
The presented project is aimed at a comprehensive field archaeological and historical study of the 'City of Gizhiginsk' in the North Even District of the Magadan Region and reconstruction of its history. The project is expected to be implemented as part of a range of diverse activities from 2020 to 2025. The main attention will be paid to archaeological excavations of the 'Gizhiginsk City' object, during which it is planned to collect and to cameral process discovered material complexes; establish dating and cultural affiliation of complexes using traditional archaeological and naturalscience methods. It is possible to identify the features of the landscape zone, paleoclimatic conditions, flora and fauna, which will make it possible to trace the influence of the ecological environment on the functioning of the studied settlement. Another direction of the project should be the collection and analysis of historical documents related to the object in the Russian archives in order to interpret the materials obtained during the excavation. The study of the city of Gizhiginsk as an archaeological site located in the Far North and existing for more than three centuries will make it possible to trace the process of functioning of the settlement object from the 17th to the beginning of the 20th centuries. The data obtained will help to identify the features of the construction of Russian prison and cities in the extreme natural conditions of the north, the presence or absence of ethnogenetic and cultural-historical continuity between different ethnic groups of the population in the indicated historical periods. This, in turn, will provide the necessary information for studying the material culture, social structure, worldview system and mentality of the population.
To accomplish the tasks it is planned to create the Gizhiginsky archaeological expedition based on Northeastern State University with the involvement of specialists from different regions of the country and the world to carry out interdisciplinary research. Participation in the expedition includes researchers, students, undergraduates and graduate students in the framework of educational archaeological practice of Northeastern State University, as well as other educational and scientific institutions of Siberia and the Far East. The participation result of young people can be their scientific research in the framework of term papers, final qualification works and master's theses.
A special role in the project is given to the cultural and historical education of the population, aimed at creating a responsible attitude to the monuments of the past, increasing the level of legal literacy, and attracting young people to archeology. The organization of tourist routes is supposed; it is possible to attract tourists for excavation work as volunteers. 'The city of Gizhiginsk' is a monument of Russian culture of the beginning of the 20th century in the North of the Russian Far East and should take its rightful place in the history of the Russian state.