Recent results and modern status of the PAMIR experiment

The mass composition of the primary cosmic rays (PCR) is deduced from the intensity and energy spectrum of γ-families recorded in X-ray emulsion chambers (XREC) at the Pamirs. The analysis is based on comparison of the experimental data with model calculation. The best fit is attained assuming that the proton fraction in the PCR gradually decreases from 25% at PCR energy E0=1015 eV to 15% at E0=1017 eV.The unusual phenomena (alignment effect and penetrating hadrons) are also discussed. Further experiments with XREC at the Tien Shan is in the progress.