Towards the Study of the Early Medieval Site Bashanta-II

Abstract

The authors offer preliminary results on study of a new early medieval site discovered in the Gorodovikovo District (Kalmykia) during a field survey near Bashanta-I hillfort at Chapaevskoe Lake (or Tsagan nur in Kalmyk language). The new site is found 8 km to the south-west from Bashanta-I hillfort, on the bank of the Egorlyk River. The site is dated by two radiocarbon dates by the middle of the 7th – late 8th centuries, i.e. by the time of Khazar Khanate. Some preliminary studies on the site included topographical mapping, collection of stray finds and a few prospection pits. These activities yielded numerous ceramic sherds, roof tiles and debris of masonry. Judging by the existing cultural stratum, remains of stone structures made of shell stone blocks and numerous ceramic finds of good quality, the new site was a settlement of Saltovo-Mayaki Culture, presumably a satellite hillfort. The identity of ceramics and construction materials allowed the authors to name this new site as Bashanta-II.

Keywords

• archaeology
• Volga-Don region
• early Middle Ages
• Khazar Khanate
• steppe
• Saltovo-Mayaki culture
• hillfort
• stone structures
• Pontic amphorae.