Key research themes
1. What geological and tectonic processes characterize the Altaid orogenic system and how do they compare to Archean orogens?
This theme investigates the geological architecture, lithological composition, and evolution of the Altaid orogenic belt within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, focusing on crustal growth, tectonic accretion, and deformation mechanisms. The research compares these Phanerozoic processes with Archean analogs to evaluate the continuity of orogenic mechanisms through deep time.
2. How do archaeological and paleolithic studies in the Altai region elucidate human technological and cultural transitions during the Initial Upper Paleolithic?
Research under this theme probes early human cultural evolution in the Altai region, emphasizing the Initial Upper Paleolithic (IUP) as a crucial technocomplex linked with the spread of Homo sapiens. The studies examine lithic technologies, radiocarbon chronologies, and dispersal patterns, contributing to debates about the origin, timing, and regional interactions of early modern humans versus Neanderthals across Eurasia.
3. What is the current status and methodological debate surrounding the Altaic language hypothesis, especially regarding genealogical relationships and paradigmatic morphology?
This linguistic theme synthesizes the contentious hypothesis that Turkic, Mongolic, Tungusic, Korean, and Japanese languages constitute a genetic 'Altaic' family. The works explore paradigm-based morphological evidence, analogous structures, lexical cognates, and statistical methods to either support or contest Altaic genealogical unity, addressing the persistent divide between genetic vs. areal Sprachbund explanations.