In the article methodological problems of statehood origin are described. Author’s attention is drawn on analysis of certain regions in the time of local polities formation. Particular problematic aspects of society structure formation in the Teotihuacan are being analyzed. It is stated that search for centralized modes of governance there results in nothing, instead there are more data on heterarchical system of governance. Problems of statehood origin’s interpretation in the Oaxaca valley are presented. Role of the Oaxaca valley in Mesoamerica’s statehood formation is evaluated.

Modern conditions for combating crime put forward increased demands on law enforcement officers of the Russian Federation. These requirements include both a high physical and moral resource, as well as intellectual potential, ensuring the successful fight against crime. An analysis of the law enforcement practice of counteracting extremist organizations and groups indicates that unobvious crimes are in most cases difficult to identify and investigate. The reason for this is the lack of orienting information, primary signs of a crime, evidence, etc. The article discusses the history of the origin of the extremist organization Jehovah’s Witnesses, their activities in the post-Soviet space, and the experience of countering the USSR State Security Committee. The contemporary activities of an extremist organization on the territory of the Russian Federation are characterized. The ideology, norms of behavior, the organization’s financing system are analyzed. The consequences of the impact on the consciousness of adepts, the anti-state nature of activity are determined. The legal mechanism of counteracting the activities of extremist organizations is characterized. The features of the activities of the extremist organization Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Republic of Crimea are examined, and law enforcement practice is analyzed. The factors hindering the identification and documentation of the activities of extremist organizations are identified. Ways and methods of detecting, preventing, combating and solving crimes related to the activities of extremist organizations are identified.

It is stated that the process of initial statehood formation occurred in the North Mesopotamia. Also some statements around ascension of sedentariness and pastoralism are revised in the article. Author highlights key problems of population estimations in ancient times of the South-West Asia. New data in the article corrects population estimations by degree. One of the leading themes in the paper is the role of highly mobile part of population in functioning of interregional trade. It is emphasized that Uruk phenomenon is highly overestimated and lacks hard evidence. Author presents new approach of understanding the statehood origin. It is made on the basis of material data and careful review of archaeologic interpretations.