Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, nab. Makarova, 6, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
Kuznetsova Tamara G., DSci. Biology, MD; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0196-0519; dr.tamara.kuznetsova@gmail.com
In the beginning of the 20th century primatology as a science is established in Russia. For this purpose, the first biological station, dedicated to the systematic study of monkeys – acclimatization, round-the-clock maintenance and their physical development, and, later, the study of their cognitive abilities and possible use in medicine – is created in the late 30’s in Sukhumi. The development of world primatology is closely related to the names of Russian scientists like I.I. Mechnikov, N.N. Ladygina-Kots, P.V. Bochkarev, N.Yu. Voitonis, N.A. Tikh, I.P. Pavlov and their followers The pioneer zoopsychologist was N.N. Ladygina-Kots, who already in the 1920s published her first unique works. The first achievements of the staff of the Sukhumi nursery are still used by primatological laboratories, nurseries and research centers around the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, the world's first physiological laboratory appeared in Koltushi near Leningrad, where I.P. Pavlov with his students and followers began to study the higher nervous (mental) activity of monkeys (chimpanzees). On the basis of these studies, Pavlov made a detailed critical analysis of the nature of the intellectual activity of great apes and gave them an objective physiological interpretation, which is still not outdated. The experiments and discoveries of P.K. Denisov (Pavlov’s assistant) in the physiology of behavior and cognitive activity of primates gained international recognition. However, over the century of development of primatology in Russia, it had to go through several difficult periods – the 1930s of the Great Terror, the Great Patriotic War and modern "perestroika". The Institute of Experimental Pathology and Therapy of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences in Adler has survived, and the remains of Pavlov’s laboratory in Koltushi near St. Petersburg. Since 1966, 11 international and regional organizations uniting primatologists, 13 primatological societies have been engaged in comprehensive studies of primates, international primatological congresses are held, but Russia, unfortunately, almost does not participate in them.
human biology; primatology, primatological centers in Russia, Sukhum, Adler, Koltushi, Leningrad-St. Petersburg
DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2021.3.134-144
Цит.: Kuznetsova T.G. On the History of Primatological Research in Russia // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2021; 3/2021; с. 134-144
Download text