Izmailov Iskander Lerunovich

Senior Research Associate of the Medieval Archaeology Department of the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences

Izmailov Iskander Lerunovich (December 12, 1960, Seymchan vilage, Srednekansky District of Magadan Oblast) — Archaeologist, Historian and Ethnologist, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Expert in the Medieval Archaeology and History of the Volga-Ural Region, Ethnic History of the Turkic Peoples of Eurasia, Historian in the field of Armament and Military History of Medieval East-European States. Chief Research Associate of the Medieval Archaeology Department of the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences. He graduated from the Faculty of History of the Kazan State University named after V.I. Ulyanov-Lenin in 1983. For three years he sudied at the postgraduate school at the Archaeology and Ethnography Department of the G. Ibragimov Institute of Language, Literature and Art of the Kazan Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. In 1986, he entered the Archaeology and Ethnography Department at the G. Ibragimov Institute of Language, Literature and Art, where he worked as a Laboratory Specialist, Junior Research Associate and Research Associate. In 1995-1996, he worked as a Research Associate at the Institute of Encyclopedia of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences. From 1998 to 2006 has worked as a Chief Specialist — Advisor to the President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan. From 2016 to 2014 — Senior Research Associate at the Institute of History named after Sh. Mardzhani, and from 2014 to the present day — Chief Research Associate of the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences.

In 1996 Iskander Lerunovich defended his thesis for the degree of Candidate of Historical Sciences with a speciality in 07.00.02 — Russian History at Kazan State University. In 2013 he defended his thesis for the degree of Doctor of Historical Sciences entitled “Volga Bolgaria in the 9th — First Third of the 13th Centuries: Establishment of the Social, Religious and Ethnopolitical Structure of the Society” with a specialty in 07.00.06 — Archaeology at the dissertation council of the Institute of History named after Sh. Mardzhani of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences.

Since 1977, Iskander Lerunovich has participated in various archaeological expeditions in the Middle Volga region, conducted archaeological excavations of medieval monuments (Bilyar and Zolotaryovskoye settlements, Bolshetigansky and Armievsky burial grounds, salvage activities under the Kazanmetro program in Kazan, and others. Of particular social significance were the studies of the condition of Tatarstan archaeological monuments carried out with his participation and under his supervision in 1988-1993 in the impact area of Kuibyshev and Nizhnekamsk reservoirs, as well as at the sites of Kazan and Pre-Volga regions (Bogdashkinsky and Kamayevsky settlements, Starokuibyshevsky complex of monuments, and others). He is one of the leading specialists in the interdisciplinary study of the ethnogenesis and ethnic history of the Tatar people and their ancestors, study of the military archaeology and military history of the medieval states of Eurasia.

Member of the Academic Council of the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences and the Academic Council of the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan, Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal “The Volga River Region Archaeology”.

A total of 4 candidate’s theses have been defended under his supervision.

Hirsch Index: RSCI (Science Index) — 11; Scopus (Author ID: 6602975408) — 1; Web of Science (Researcher ID: M-7996-2015) — 1.

Academic interests: medieval archaeology and history of the Volga-Ural region, comprehensive studying of the history and archaeology of armament and military art, establishment of the concept of ethnogenesis and ethnic development of the Tatar people and their ancestors on the basis of a comprehensive historical and archaeological approach, development of the social, confessional and ethnopolitical history of Volga Bolgaria on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of archaeological data.

Titles and Awards:

  • Medal “In Memory of the 1000th Anniversary of Kazan” (2005);
  • Honorary diploma of the city hall of Kazan for the scientific support of the celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of Kazan and a great contribution to the revival of the Great Volga Route (2005);
  • honorable mention by the President of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences for dedicated efficient work (2008 and 2016).
  • Title “Honored Scientist of the Republic of Tatarstan” (2019)

 Main Scientific Works and Publications:

The results of Iskander Lerunovich’s scientific activities are outlined in 932 scientific publications, including 20 monographs, books and brochures; 83 articles in collective monographs and 8 textbooks and study guides.

Main monographs:

  1. Armament and Military Art of the Population of Volga Bolgaria in the 10th — early 13th Centuries, Magadan: North-Eastern Scientific Center of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 1996 (212 p.);
  2. Ethnopolitical history of the Tatars in the 6th — first quarter of the 15th century, Kazan: “Iman” Publ., 2000 (136 p.) (co-authored by D.M. Iskhakov);
  3. Introduction to the History of the Kazan Khanate. Essays. Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2005 (116 p.) (co-authored by D.M. Iskhakov);
  4. Ethnopolitical History of the Tatars (3rd — mid-16th Centuries), Kazan: “RITs Schkola” Publ., 2007 (354 p.) (co-authored by D.M. Iskhakov);
  5. Introduction to the Ethnogenesis and Ethnic History of the Tatar People. Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2005 (132 p.) (co-authored by D.M. Iskhakov);
  6. Defenders of the “Wall of Iskander”, Kazan: “Tatarskoye knizhnoye izdatelstvo” Publ., 2008 (206 p.);
  7. Islam in the Golden Horde, Kazan: “Tatarskoye knizhnoye izdatelstvo” Publ., 2008 (63 p.) (co-authored by B. Khamidullin);
  8. Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov. Kazan: “Otechestvo” Publ., 2014. (29 p.) (co-authored by A.G. Sitdikov);
  9. Meeting in Bolgar. Tour of the Halls of the Museum of Bolgar Civilization. Kazan: “OOO Master-Graf” Publ., 2014 (84 p.) (co-authored by A.G. Sitdikov, D.G. Bugrov, D.G. Mukhametshin).

Textbooks and study guides:

  1. Narratives on the History of Tatarstan. Textbook. 5th-6th classes. In Tatar — Kazan, 1993 (271 p.) and Russian — Kazan, 1994 (272 p.) (co-authored by F.Sh. Khuzin, D.G. Davletshin);
  2. Volga Bolgaria in Stories for Children. Study guide. Kazan: “Slovo-Maharif” Publ., 1995 (80 p.); “Idel Bolgarstan”, Kazan: “Megarif” Publ., 2001 (96 p.) (co-authored by S. Shamsi);
  3. History of the Tatar people (from antiquity until the late 17th century): study guide for the 10th grade of secondary school (profile level), Kazan: “Magarif” Publ., 2009 (423 p.) (in Russian and Tatar languages) (co-authored by D.M. Iskhakov, I.A. Gilyazov, and others);
  4. History and culture of Siberian Tatars (from antiquity until the early the 21st century): local history study guide for students and senior pupils of secondary schools. Kazan: Institute of History named after Sh. Mardzhani; “Artifact” Publ., 2014 (pp. 58-191) (co-authored by D.M. Iskhakov).
  5. Volga Bolgaria through the Eyes of a Painter and Historian. 2nd edition, updated and revised. Kazan: “Zaman” Publ., 2011 (72 p.) (co-authored by R.F. Khuzin).

Articles:

  1. Ethnopolitical history of the Tatars in the 6th — first quarter of the 15th century // Tatars. Series “Peoples and Cultures” / Editor R.K. Urazmanov, S.V. Cheshko. — Moscow: “Nauka” Publ., 2001. — pp. 41-100 (co-authored by D.M. Iskhakov).
  2. Spread and functioning of Islam in Volga Bolgaria // Islam and Muslim culture in the Middle Volga region: History and contemporaneity. Essays. 2nd edition. Editor R.M. Mukhametshin. — Kazan: “Iman” Publ., 2002, Kazan, 2002, pp. 22-37.
  3. Islam in the Golden Horde // Islam and Muslim Culture in the Middle Volga Region: History and Contemporaneity. Essays. 2nd edition. Editor R.M. Mukhametshin. Kazan: “Iman” Publ., 2002, pp. 38-60.
  4. Establishment of the Bolgar State / I.L. Izmailov // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol.II. Volga Bolgaria and the Great Steppe. — Kazan: “RukhIL” Publ., 2006, pp. 124-131.
  5. Warfare. Foreign Policy of the Bolgar State // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol.II. Volga Bolgaria and the Great Steppe. Kazan: “RukhIL” Publ., 2006, pp. 336-376.
  6. Medieval Bolgars: Ethnopolitical and Ethnoconfessional Community // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Timess. In 7 volumes. Vol.II. Volga Bolgaria and the Great Steppe. Kazan: “RukhIL” Publ., 2006, pp. 631-649.
  7. Kazan in the Golden Horde Period. Kazan Khanate. Kazan — Capital of the Khanate // Tartarica / Atlas. — Kazan-Moscow-Saint-Petersburg: “Dizain. Informatsiya. Cartographiya” Publ., 2006, pp. 308-309, pp. 392-393 (co-authored by S.G. Klyashtorny, F.Sh. Khuzin, A.G. Sitdikov).
  8. Ethnic History // Tartarica. Ethnography. — Kazan — Moscow: “Feoria” Publ. Design. Informatics. Cartography, 2008, pp. 14-135 (co-authored by D.M. Iskhakov).
  9. The Art of Volga Bolgaria (10th — first half of the 13th Centuries) // Essays on the History of Islamic Civilization. In 2 volumes. Vol. 1. Under the general editorship of Yu.M. Kobischanov. Moscow: “ROSSPEN” Publ., 2008, pp. 859-878 (co-authored by L.I. Sattarova).
  10. Art of the Golden Horde. Second half of the 13th — first quarter of the 15th centuries) // Essays on the History of Islamic Civilization. In 2 volumes. Vol. 2. Under the general editorship of Yu.M. Kobischanova. Moscow: “ROSSPEN” Publ., 2008, pp. 678-703 (co-authored by L.I. Sattarova).
  11. The Establishment of the Medieval Tatar Ethnic Group // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol. III. The Ulus of Jochi (The Golden Horde). 13th — mid-15th centuries. — Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2009, pp. 349-365.
  12. Military Art of the Ulus of Jochi. Organization of the Army. Military Art // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol. III. The Ulus of Jochi (The Golden Horde). 13th — mid-15th centuries. — Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2009, pp. 409- 431.
  13. Bolgar Ulus: Bolgar and Other Emirates // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol. III. The Ulus of Jochi (The Golden Horde). 13th — mid-15th cc. Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2009, pp. 448-470.
  14. Islam in the Ulus of Jochi // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol. III. The Ulus of Jochi (The Golden Horde). 14th — Mid-15th Centuries. — Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2009, pp. 599-617 (co-authored by M.A. Usmanov).
  15. Architecture, Decorative and Applied Arts // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol. III. The Ulus of Jochi (The Golden Horde). 13th — mid-15th cc. Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2009, pp. 618-643 (co-authored by L.I. Sattarova).
  16. “Great Troubles” // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol. III. The Ulus of Jochi (The Golden Horde). 13th — mid-15th cc. Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2009, pp. 695-705.
  17. The Pre-Islamiic Period (up to the 10th century) // Tatar history and civilization. — Istanbul: Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), 2010. p. 35-50.
  18. Prenetration of Islam and formation of the First Muslim State in Northern Eurasia (10th to 13th centuries) // Tatar history and civilization. — Istanbul: Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), 2010. p. 51-74.
  19. The Djocid Nation and its islamisation: Muslim Culture of the Golden Horde Period. // Tatar history and civilization. — Istanbul: Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), 2010. — p. 75-115 (with Mirkasum Usmanov).
  20. The Tatars in the Time of Troubles: Events and Destinies // People of the Time of Troubles. History of National Heroism. Moscow: “Dotoinstvo” Publ., 2012, pp. 212-219.
  21. Islam in the Volga Region in the Middle Ages // Great Bolgar. Moscow, Kazan: “Feoria” Publ., 2013, pp. 274-293.
  22. Structure of Power in Late Golden Horde States // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol.IV. Tatar States of the 15th — 18th Centuries. Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2014, pp. 521-531.
  23. Tatar Military Art // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol.IV. Tatar States of the 15th — 18th centuries. Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2014, pp. 686-690.
  24. Armament and Military Art of the Kazan Khanate // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol.IV. Tatar States of the 15th — 18th centuries. Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2014, pp. 690-700.
  25. The Kazan War of 1552-1557 // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol.V. The Tatar People as Part of the Russian State (Second Half of 16th — 18th cc.). Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2014, pp. 73-85 (co-authored by I.P. Yermolaev).
  26. Tatars and the Kazan Territory in the Time of Troubles // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol.V. The Tatar People as Part of the Russian State (Second Half of 16th — 18th cc.). Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2014, pp. 267-280.
  27. Image of the ancestors and identity of the Tatars in the context of the “Holy Town of Bolgar” // The History of the Tatars since Ancient Times. In 7 volumes. Vol.V. The Tatar People as Part of the Russian State (Second Half of 16th — 18th cc.). Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2014, pp. 539-544.
  28. Bolgar Town in Culture and History // Great Bolgar. Kazan: Master-Graf Ltd., 2015. p. 12-25 (with A.G. Sitdikov).
  29. Bolgar in the Golden Horde period (second half of 13th — first half of the 15th centuries) / I.L. Izmailov // Great Bolgar. Kazan: Master-Graf Ltd., 2015. p. 55-63.
  30. Islam in Volga Bolgaria // Great Bolgar. Kazan: Master-Graf Ltd., 2015. p. 270-275.
  31. Islam in Ulus of Jochi // Great Bolgar. Kazan: Master-Graf Ltd., 2015. p. 276-289.
  32. “…Kazan — a Town on Bones” // Rodina. 1998, No.2, pp. 35-38.
  33. Balymer barrow burial ground and its historical and cultural significance / I.L. Izmailov // Slavs, Finno-Ugrians, Scandinavians, Volga Bolgars. Reports of the International Scientific Symposium on Archaeology and History May 11-14, 1999 Pushkin Hills. Executive editor A.N. Kirpichnikov. Saint Petersburg: “IPK Vesti” Publ., 2000, pp. 70-86.
  34. The Ulus of Jochi (the Golden Horde): Medieval Eurasian Empire // Teaching of History at School (Moscow), 2000, No. 2, pp. 11-20.
  35. 1183. Crusade of the Volga River / I.L. Izmailov // Rodina, 2000, No.3, pp. 38-43.
  36. “The Early History” of Volga Bolgaria in Legends and Historical Tradition // The Oldest States of Eastern Europe. 1998, Moscow: “Nauka” Publ., 2000, pp. 99-105.
  37. Historical past as a factor of national mobilization // Unity of the Tatar nation. Proceedings of the Scientific Conference of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences. Kazan: “Fen” Publ., Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2002, pp. 57-75.
  38. The Conquest of the Kazan Khanate: Causes and consequences (a Critical Analysis of New Trends in Modern Russian Historiography) // Tatar People after 1552: Losses and Acquisitions. — Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2003, pp. 61-135.
  39. Balymer barrow burial ground in the light of the contacts of Northern Europe and Volga Bolgaria: issues and discussions // Ladoga and the origins of Russian statehood and culture. Saint Petersburg: “IPK Vesti” Publ., 2003, pp. 127-141.
  40. Idil Bulgar Devleti’nde Sanat (X-XIII. Yuzillar) L.Sattarova // Turkler. Vol. 6. H.C. Guzel, K. Cicek, S. Koca. 21-s vol. Ankara: Yeni Turkiye Yayinlari, 2002. b. 43-54 (with L. Sattarova).
  41. Military Structure of the Ulus of Jochi // Batyr. Traditional Military Culture of the Peoples of Eurasia. 2010, No.1, pp. 5-15.
  42. History of the Kazan Khanate: from the Ulus to the Yurt // Historical Destinies of the Peoples of the Volga and Ural Regions. Collection of articles. Issue 1. Proceedings of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference “Historical Destinies of the Peoples of the Middle Volga Region in the 15th-15th — 19th Centuries” Dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of S.Kh. Alishev, Doctor of History (Kazan, March 24, 2009). Kazan: Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2010, pp. 108-117.
  43. Tatars in the Empire of Genghis Khan and his Heirs: Triumph of the Defeated // The Golden Horde Heritage. Issue 2. Proceedings of the Second International Conference “The Political and Socio-Economic History of the Golden Horde” dedicated to the memory of M.A. Usmanov. Kazan, March 29-30, 2011 / Executive editor and compiler I.M. Mirgaleev. Kazan: “OOO Foliant” Publ., Institute of History named after Sh. Mardzhani of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2011, pp. 38-55.
  44. Islam in the Volga Bolgaria: Distribution and Regional Features / I.L. Izmailov // History and Modernity. 2011, No. 2 (14), pp. 34-51.
  45. Ethnopolitical Development of Volga Bolgaria in the 9th-11th Centuries: Urbanization Factor // Bolgar Forum I. Proceedings of the Bolgar Forum (June 19-21, 2010, Bolgar). Series “Archaeology of the Eurasian Steppes”, Issue 12. Kazan: “OOO Foliant” Publ., Institute of History named after Sh. Mardzhani of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2011, pp. 97-108.
  46. The Bolgars: from a Tribe to a Medieval State // Philology and Culture. 2012, No.1 (27), pp. 178-185.
  47. Establishment of Medieval Bolgaria: from a Tribe to a State // Studia Slavica Et Balcanica Petropolitana. 2012, No.2, pp. 217-242.
  48. Burial and Funeral Rites and the Armament Complex of Ancient and Medieval Population (Problem Statement) // The Volga River Region Archaeology. 2012, No.2, pp. 66-85.
  49. Ethnical and Class Structure of the Kazan Khanate // Medieval Turkic-Tatar States. Issue 4. Kazan: Institute of History named after Sh. Mardzhani of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2012, pp. 62-68.
  50. Archaeological Culture and Medieval Ethnic Community: Theoretical and Methodological Issues of Correlation (on the Example of Medieval Bolgaria) / I.L. Izmailov // The Volga River Region Archaeology, 2014, No. 3, pp. 138-179.
  51. Medieval Bolgar Armament and Military Art: Facts and Misconceptions // Proceedings of the Kama Archaeological and Ethnographic Expedition. Issue 8: Archaeological monuments of the Volga region and the Urals: contemporary studies of the issue of preservation and museumification: collection of research papers / under the general editorship of A.M. Belavin. Perm: Perm State Humanitarian Pedagogical University, 2012, pp. 254-265.
  52. Sword of the Early Sarmatian Period from the Ik-Zay Interfluve // The Volga River Region Archaeology. 2015, No.2, pp. 326-332.
  53. Weapons, Fortification and Military Art of the Volga Bulgaria in the 10th — the First Third of the 13th Centuries // Journal of Sustainable Development. 2015, Vol. 8. No. 7 (August 2015), pp. 167-177 (with Sitdikov A.G., Khayrutdinov R.R.).
  54. Ethnocultural history of 12th-13th Century Bolgaria on the Basis of Muslim Epitaphic Monuments of the Ulus of Jochi Period // Philology and Culture. 2015, No.1 (39), pp. 283-290.
  55. The Issue of the Archaeological Identification of an Ethnos: Continued // The Volga River Region Archaeology. 2015, No.3, pp. 220-234.
  56. Muslim Archaeology: Scope and Content of the Concept // The Volga River Region Archaeology. 2016, No.2, pp. 8-17 (co-authored by A.G. Sitdikov).
  57. Archaeology and Islam in the Middle Volga Region in the 10th — 13th Centuries: The Experience of Comprehensive Analysis / I.L. Izmailov // The Volga River Region Archaeology. 2016, No.2, pp. 68-92.
  58. Legacy of the Ulus of Jochi: Elements and Factors of the Ethnopolitical Unity of the Turkic States of Northern Eurasia // Otan Tarikhy, 2016, No.1, pp. 15-29.
  59. The Cult of Caliph Ali in the Ulus of Jochi: Problem Statement // Islamic Education in the Crimea: Historical Milestones and Means of Revival / Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference Dedicated to the 515th Anniversary of Zyndzhyrly Madrasah and the Memory of its Founder Mengli Gerai Khan. Simferopol: “Terdzhiman” Publ., 2016, pp. 10-28.
  60. Armament and Military Art of the Kazan Khanate (on the theses of A.N. Kurata) // Akdes Nimet Kurat’in Hayati ve eserleri sempozyumu bildirileri / Proceedings of the Scientific Symposium “The Life and Scientific Activity of Akdes Nimet Kurat”. Hazirlayan I. Kemaloglu. Ankara: Turk Tarih Kurumu, 2016. pp. 241-269.
  61. The Ratio of Islam and Paganism in the Ulus of Jochi: Problems of Historiography and Contemporary Discussions // Cultural Heritage of Eurasia (from Antiquity to the Present Day). Almaty: Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Margulan, 2016, pp. 601-627.
  62. Bolgar Ulus in the Second Half of the 13th — mid-14th Centuries: Historical and Archaeological Analysis // Dialogue of Urban and Steppe Cultures in the Eurasian Space. Historical Geography of the Golden Horde. Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference dedicated to the Memory of G.A. Fedorov-Davydov. Editors S.G. Bocharov, A.G. Sitdikov. Kazan; Yalta; Chisinau: Stratum Plus, 2016, pp. 113-118.