THE HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY OF RAFAEL PUMPELLY, WHO CAME TO TURKESTAN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47390/SPR1342V5I10Y2025N10Keywords:
Raphael Pumpelly, geology, archaeology, Asian expeditions, Kopet Dagh, Pamir, ancient agricultural culture, early urbanization.Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the life, scientific work, and legacy of Raphael Pumpelly, a prominent 19th-century American geologist and archaeologist. Educated at Harvard and further trained in Europe, Pumpelly became widely known for his research expeditions to Asia, including China, Japan, Central Asia, Turkestan, and the Pamir Mountains. His investigations contributed significantly to the development of geology by documenting the structural and stratigraphic features of the regions he explored. Of particular importance were his excavations at Anau, near the Kopet Dagh, which revealed traces of an ancient settled agricultural culture. These findings not only enriched Western knowledge of the early civilizations of the East but also laid the foundation for future interdisciplinary studies of human-environment interactions. Pumpelly’s methodological approach—combining geological surveys, stratigraphy, and archaeological excavation—made him one of the pioneers of geoarchaeology. His scholarly heritage continues to influence modern geological and archaeological research, highlighting the lasting relevance of his scientific contributions.
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