Presentation of Military Antiquities at the Exhibitions of Archaeological Congresses in the Russian Empire.

The article scrutinizes the materials and catalog entries from archeological congresses held in the Russian Empire during the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20^th century, focusing on the organization and content of exhibitions presented during these events. These exhibitions were notably orchestrated according to two guiding principles: a territorial approach, which grouped items based on their geographical origins, and an ownership principle, which categorized items based on the nature of their ownership -- be it museums, scientific societies, private collectors, or individual researchers. A considerable portion of the exhibits comprised military antiquities, delineated into several categories including ancient weaponry and armory showcasing archeological discoveries such as arrowheads, spear tips, and remnants of swords dating back to the Copper, Bronze, and early Iron Ages; weapons and ammunition from diverse historical eras; faleristics, encompassing the study of tokens and medals; and written memorabilia, which offer glimpses into the respective periods they originate from. Despite the rich narrative potential of these military artifacts, many were presented with inadequate or altogether absent attribution, a factor that significantly hinders their systematic categorization in contemporary studies. The analysis particularly accentuates the pivotal role played by Ukrainian researchers and collectors, not just in facilitating the assembly of these exhibitions, but in enriching them with substantial collections of artifacts, especially those connected to the Zaporozhian Cossacks. It highlights the standout contributions at congresses hosted in Ukraine, where the most expansive collections of military antiquities were exhibited, offering a rich, albeit complex, tapestry of military history that commands further detailed exploration and study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]