About the book: 1997 / The book is dedicated to a new scientific direction - the study of the ancient and medieval chronology of Rus' using new methods of dating ancient events proposed by the authors in previous publications, in particular, in the book by A.T. Fomenko “Methods of mathematical analysis of historical texts. Applications to chronology", Moscow, publishing house "Nauka", 1996. Serious contradictions have been discovered between the traditional historical point of view and the results of applying new ones: dating methods. A new concept is proposed, one of the characteristic differences of which is a significant “shortening of history.” The book is a unique phenomenon in the world scientific literature and opens up opportunities for further research. Intended for the widest range of readers interested in the application of natural scientific methods in the humanities.