Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical and cultural dimensions of the Altai region as an integral part of the heritage of the Great Steppe. The role of Altai in ethnocultural processes from ancient times to the Turkic period is examined on the basis of archaeological, written, and historiographical sources. The Altai region is characterized as a key space of migration routes, cultural interaction, and historical continuity within the Eurasian steppe. The study outlines the main stages in the scholarly exploration of Altai since the nineteenth century and compares methodological approaches of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. Special attention is paid to contemporary interdisciplinary studies in which Altai is interpreted as a cultural code and a phenomenon of historical memory of the Great Steppe. The purpose of the article is to systematize the directions of research on the historical and cultural heritage of the Altai region and to determine its place in the civilizational space of the Great Steppe. The conclusions contribute to a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural significance of Altai in the development of steppe civilizations.