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Problems of analytical archaeological research characteristic of the initial period of the studies of the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age in the Volga-Kama area (from the late 18th century to the early 1920s) are discussed in the article. Within the initial period, the author has identified four basic problems, which were developed by researchers. 1. Periodization and dating of the Bronze Age sites and identification of those referring to the Early Iron Age (in the early 20th century). 2. Determination of ethnic belonging of archaeological cultures carriers. 3. The topography of settlements and hill-forts purpose and usage interpretation. 4. Funeral rite systematization. A separate block comprises the local problems, to which researchers used to turn sporadically: the study of ceramics, economic system, social structure, origins of certain types of metal products etc.