Young Archaeologists from Ashgabat Master Digital Methods at Great Bolgar on the Volga
The 13th International Archaeological School has opened at the Bolgar State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve, located in Bolgar, Republic of Tatarstan. This year, the educational and research project brought together 75 young scholars from 24 regions of Russia and five foreign countries, including Turkmenistan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, India, and Azerbaijan. Researchers from Ashgabat are representing the Turkmen scientific school at the forum.
The key theme of the school in 2026 is the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in archaeology. Over the course of two weeks, young undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, under the guidance of leading experts from the Russian Academy of Sciences and academic institutions in Tatarstan, will master the use of geoinformation systems, 3D modeling, unmanned aerial vehicles, remote sensing, and field surveying. Particular attention is paid to the processing of field data using neural networks for the certification of objects and planning of restoration work.
The Bulgarian International Archaeological School has been operating since 2014, and during this time has trained over 800 specialists in unique interdisciplinary fields, from paleoanthropology to geoinformatics. The project traditionally consists of two stages: the first session is held in Tatarstan, on the site of ancient Bolgar, and the second at research centers in the participating countries.
The organizers are actively expanding international cooperation. On the sidelines of the opening, negotiations were held with Chinese colleagues regarding holding one of the next stages of the school in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. The school will run until August 23 and will conclude with an international scientific and practical conference, where young researchers will present their research papers.
