On 19-20 April 2007, the conference room of the Academic Council was the venue for a regular archeological session of the State Hermitage devoted to the work of the museum's archeological expeditions in 2006. At the start, participants observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of the outstanding archeologist B.I. Marshak, who did in the course of the field expedition season.

The first report to be heard was by A.N. Mazurkevich, M.E. Polkovnikova, M.V. Sablin and M.A. Kulkova on the work of the Northwestern Archeological Expedition in the Desna Basin. They presented computer models of the area in ancient times and results of underwater excavation. B.S. Korotkevich talked about the excavations in the settlement of Anashkino. The report of D.V. Chugunov and A.A. Tishkin was dedicated to investigation of kurgans dating from the Scythian period in the Altai and the search for new sites for archeological digs. N.N. Nikolaev spoke about the excavation of the kurgan burial site of Dogee-Baara II in the environs of Kyzyl, while S.V. Morozov talked about investigations by members of the expedition in Khakassia.

There was a report about the first year of work of the Central Caucasus Archeological Expedition, investigations in Kabardino-Balkaria. Yu.Yu. Piotrovsky and S.V. Ostashinsky made a report on the monitoring and investigation of archeological monuments on the territory of the Maikopsky Raion of the Adygei Republic, in the area of the Meshoko urban settlement. The report by M.B. Shchukin, O.V. Sharov and I.V. Palaguta spoke of the continuation of digs around the religious complex of the Taraktash settlement near Sudak where unique terracotta statuettes have been found. À.Ì. Butyagin, E.V. Gritsik, N.Yu. Novoselova and N.M. Akhmadeeva presented a report on excavations of the ancient urban settlement of Mirmeki on the territory of Kerch. O.Yu. Sokolova talked about excavations of the ancient urban settlement of Nimfei. The report of D.E. Chistov, V.Yu. Zuev, S.V. Kashaev, K.K. Marchenko, I.V. Tunkina and Yu.I. Ilina was devoted to the work of the Berezan (Nizhneburgskaya) Expedition and provided information about excavations of an ancient settlement on the island of Berezan and a settlement of rural gallery Olvia Kozyrek II. S.V. Tomsinsky made a report on investigations of anthropogenic deposits of a settlement in the historic center of the city of Yuriev-Polsky, while E.A. Turova spoke of excavations of the royal palace in Aleksandrov.

The second day opened with the report by V.G. Shkoda and V.I. Raspopova on investigations into the ancient city of Penjikent and the question of continuation of the brilliant excavations of B.I. Marshak was offered for discussion. À.I. Torgoev presented a joint report with G.L. Semenov on excavations in the urban settlement of Paikend which concentrated on researching Shakhristan II. In the report by S.B. Adaksin and director of the Crimean Branch of the Institute of Archeology of the Ukraine, v.L. Myts there was information about excavations of the Genoese fortress Chembalo in the Crimea. M.G. Kramarovsky and V.G. Gukin reported on excavations in the settlement of Bakatash II in the region of the Old Crimea, where research has been going on for many years to investigate a complex of ceramics firing kilns. G.Yu. Ivakin, O.M. Ioannisian, D.D. Elshin, P.L. Zykov and V.K. Koziuba told about the results of investigations into the Tithe (Desyatinnaya) Church in Kiev. Yu.M. Lesman, V. Sobolev and E.R. Mikhailova reported on archeological excavations in New Holland (St Petersburg) and in the courtyards of the State Hermitage. In conclusion a brief discussion followed presentation of the reports.