The monograph is the first work on the history of world archeology in Russian, uniting all its branches from primitive times to the present day. The development of directions is shown in close connection with the history of anthropology, art history, philological and cultural aspects. Much attention is paid to the biographies and works of leading scientists, specific scientific schools are presented, the logic of their appearance and development is reflected. The development of archaeological ideas is considered not only in connection with socio-economic and political processes, but also in a specific historical context in the interaction of established traditions and personality characters. The history of archaeological thinking is clearly presented: the accumulation and change of concepts, ideas and theories. The structure of the work reflects the competition of various currents, their connections, interaction and role in the history of science.