The book pays great attention to ancient cultural formations on the territory of Gorny Altai, the origin and ethnic history of Altai people, the development of their social organization and family life. The issues of development of cattle breeding and other sectors of the economy are considered; shamanism, Burkhanism, as well as the spread of Christianity (Orthodoxy) among Altai were studied. A detailed description of various elements of material and spiritual culture is given. An analysis of modern ethnosocial and ethnopolitical processes in the Altai Republic is also given.