V. I. Abayev - V. K. Gardanov: The 1947 discussion on the ethnogenesis of the ossetians and the ethnicity of the nartovian epos

The article is devoted to one of the most important forms of scientific and practical refraction of the course and results of historical research - a scientific discussion in the context of the political demands and interests of the authorities during periods of social transformations. The author examines the circumstances of the preparation and conduct of the discussion about the ethnogenesis and ethnic culture of the Ossetians, which took place in 1947 with the participation of scientists and the political leadership of North Ossetia. The reason for its organization was a public polemic between Caucasian scholars V. I. Abaev and V.K. Gardanov about the origin of the Ossetians, their correlation with the Alans and the ethnicity of the Nart epic.