Panfilovskaya site: 100 years of exploration

Background. The article reviews the century-long history of the Panfilovskaya site, the materials of which occupy a special place in the Eneolithic periodization of the forest zone. At the same time the cultural and chronological belonging of the site remains debatable. Materials and methods. The article analyzes the Panfilovskaya site materials and their interpretation by archaeologists, ethnographers and anthropologists. Results. According to the results of excavations V.A. Gorodtsov singled out Panfilovo archaeological culture, which he attributed to the Paleometallic era and dated by the second half of the 3rd millennium B.C. These findings were disputed by A.Y. Brusov, who attributed Panfilovо antiquity to the late period of Volosov culture. His point of view, supported by other researchers, has long kept its relevance. V.P. Tretiakov divided Panfilovо pottery into early and late phase of Volosovо culture. Conclusions. Our researches of Panfilovskaya site’s ceramics from V.A. Gorodtsov's excavations have shown that the Volosovо culture belongs only to the early group of pottery, referred by V.P. Tretyakov. The rest of the pottery belongs to the Imerka culture. The radiocarbon dates of Merckian antiquities testify that the chronology of the site, suggested by V.A. Gorodtsov, is much closer to the truth than the assumptions of his opponents.