Sign In

Pyotr Kuzmich Kozlov (1863–1935) was a prominent Russian and Soviet explorer whose expeditions across Mongolia, Tibet, and Central Asia significantly advanced the geographic and cultural knowledge of these regions, building upon the legacy of his mentor Nikolai Przhevalsky. Kozlov’s work provided invaluable insights into the geography, archaeology, and ethnography of remote Asian territories, cementing his reputation as one of the foremost explorers of his time.

Initially set for a military career, Kozlov chose instead to join Przhevalsky’s explorations in Asia. After Przhevalsky’s death, he continued his travels under the leadership of Przhevalsky’s successors, Pevtsov and Roborovsky. In 1895, with Roborovsky's health in decline, Kozlov assumed command and led expeditions across the challenging landscapes of Mongolia and Tibet. From 1899 to 1901, he conducted an in-depth survey of the Yellow River, Yangtze, and Mekong River sources, earning him the Constantine Medal in 1902.

During the height of the Great Game, Kozlov’s work rivaled that of Western explorers such as Sven Hedin and Aurel Stein, particularly in his studies of Xinjiang. His visit to the Dalai Lama in 1905 caused considerable concern within British diplomatic circles, as the Lama hinted at an alignment with Russia. Kozlov’s cordial relations with Hedin and other foreign researchers highlighted his skill in balancing diplomacy and exploration amid geopolitical tensions. 

In a landmark expedition from 1907 to 1909, Kozlov explored the Gobi Desert and unearthed the ruins of Khara-Khoto, a Tangut city abandoned since the 14th century. This discovery yielded a vast collection of artifacts, including more than 2,000 manuscripts in the Tangut language, enriching the cultural and historical understanding of the region. His findings were published in Mongolia and Amdo and the Dead City of Khara-Khoto (1923), and he was awarded the prestigious Founder's Medal from the Royal Geographical Society in 1911. 

Kozlov’s last major expedition (1923–1926) led him to Mongolia and Tibet, where he discovered a series of Xiongnu royal burials at Noin-Ula. Among the artifacts he transported to Petrograd were rare Bactrian textiles, some over two thousand years old. This final achievement marked the end of his active career, after which he retired near Novgorod.