RUSSIAN FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY AT THE END OF THE 19<sup>TH</sup> CENTURY
The paper features the preliminary results of historiographical research on such an important area of Russian archaeological science as the organization and conduct of field surveys. Using the example of Russian archaeologists of the late 19th century - both leading and those on their way to becoming professionals - various understandings and different concepts of field research are revealed. These concepts are systematized by the author, as a result of which several directions of field archaeology which developed in the currently domestic science are outlined. It is also revealed how theoretical views on the course of field research withstood (or failed to withstand) the practical test in the realities of Russian life at the time. It is demonstrated how the understanding of what constitutes the main archaeological source determined the nature and direction of field research by individual researchers. The paper does not imply an exhaustive coverage of the material and rather constitutes an introduction to the stated issues.