Prominent Russian and Soviet archaeologist, historian and researcher of underground Moscow, founder of diggerskogo movement in Russia. During a long search at the library, of Ivan the Terrible, amounting, in fact, the case of his life. He was born in the village of Grigorievka Alexander County Ekaterinoslav province, in what is now Ukraine. His father was a high school teacher, the mother had the clergy. In 1905 he graduated Kiev Theological Academy and then a half years he taught history and geography at the Russian-Arab seminary in Nazareth. During this time he traveled to Egypt, Turkey, Syria, where he became interested in archeology. New passion was so strong that in 1907, leaving enough gainful employment in Palestine, he went to Moscow, where he settled and entered the Moscow Archaeological Institute. While studying he worked in the Moscow archives of the Ministry of Justice, in the Church and the archaeological department of the Society for the lovers of spiritual enlightenment, as well as the Commission for examination and study of the ancient monuments of the church in Moscow and the Moscow diocese. Disappointed in the "Old Moscow" Stelletskii started making his own Society, which was to specialize mainly in the study of underground structures. Already in February 1912 he organizes Commission for the Study of the underground antiquities, becoming its chairman. In the "Statute of the Commission for the Study of the underground antiquities", the founding document of the commission. In 1927, he worked in the Russian Society of tourists spent tours of Moscow and Moscow region, participated in the activity of "Old Moscow". Since the early 30's with the Moscow underground. He was going to create a museum "Moscow Underground". placing found during subway construction exhibits in her apartment. After the October Revolution he refers to the Moscow Soviet, Commissariat, CEC, CPC, and in 1933, delivers a memo to Stalin, resulting in a response to the Kremlin commandant Rudolf Peterson with a request in writing, in detail, what the underground Kremlin, and where there may be a library. Excavations began December 1, 1933 and was carried out under the corner and Middle Arsenal Tower. As a result of the progress of white stone was found under the corner of the Kremlin Arsenal Tower. However, in December 1934, after the assassination of Kirov, it was decided to stop digging.