Published on: 2026-10-01
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
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Professor of the Department of Oriental Studies at the Humanities Institute of Novosibirsk State University, senior researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, candidate of historical sciences Sergey Alexandrovich Komissarov He suddenly passed away at the age of 71 on September 29. Until the very last moment, he was at his workplace among students and colleagues. He left this life at the university after finishing an evening lecture.
Sergey Alexandrovich was one of the first graduates of the humanities faculty at NSU to study Chinese under the guidance of the founder of the Oriental studies department at NSU, Professor Olga Pavlovna Frolova. In 1980, he returned to NSU as a lecturer, and 15 years later, together with colleagues, created the department of Oriental Studies at the Faculty of Humanities. Over time, Sergey Alexandrovich became a professor of the Department of Oriental Studies, founded the international NSU and Xinjiang University project (“Confucius Class”). As a senior researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, he carried out active scientific and educational activities.
For many years, he taught courses on the history, literature, source studies, and art of China, as well as the history of Asian and African countries at the Department of Oriental Studies of the Humanities Institute of NSU. According to colleagues’ recollections, he was distinguished by tireless dedication to mastering new horizons of knowledge — being an archaeologist and historian, he professionally engaged in topics related to the contemporary issues of East Asian countries, including political science, sociology, economics, and traditional Chinese medicine.
In the 1970s-1990s, Sergey Alexandrovich participated in archaeological expeditions, including in Khakassia. In 1985, he defended his candidate dissertation dedicated to Chinese weaponry of the Late Bronze Age. The work found wide application among archaeologists and specialists in the history of the Far East.
In the late 1980s, the scientist completed an internship at Liaoning University in China, where he familiarized himself with China’s monuments and museum collections. This internship later became the beginning of fruitful cooperation and interaction between NSU and Chinese scientific centers. Sergey Alexandrovich noted that “we began studying ancient Chinese history remotely, through publications, but communication with colleagues and the opportunity to handle finds personally are very important.”
As the most senior staff member of the Department of Oriental Studies at NSU, Sergey Alexandrovich willingly shared his multifaceted experience with colleagues, actively assisted in solving current administrative tasks, and was involved in organizing the most important scientific events of the Humanities Institute—conferences “The Great Silk Road: Traditions and Modernity” and “East Focus: Current Issues in the Study of History, International Relations, and Cultures of Eastern Countries.”
Professor Komissarov was the author of fundamental works on the history and archaeology of China, including the monograph “The Weaponry Complex of Ancient China,” the textbook “The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang,” and the collective work “Petroglyphs of China.” Sergey Alexandrovich also actively participated in the preparation of the first volume of the 10-volume “History of China” edited by an academician. Anatoly Panteleyevich Derevyanko.
Sergey Alexandrovich Komissarov’s merits were recognized in the PRC — in 2023 he became the recipient of the “Special Book Award” from the State Administration of Press and Publication of China.
The scientist’s colleagues note that until the very end he was actively engaged in educating students, preparing several archaeological and ethnological projects — graduation qualification works, working on scientific articles and reviews, and dreaming of new trips to his beloved China.
The bright memory of Sergey Alexandrovich will forever be preserved in the hearts of his colleagues, friends, pupils, students, and all who were fortunate to work and study alongside him.
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