Excavations on the Southern Outskirts of Bolgar Fortified Settlement in 2016 (Excavation CCXVII)

Abstract

The paper contains the results of archaeological studies conducted in 2016 on the Southern outskirts of Bolgar fortified settlement. The excavation was made on a hill at the estimated location of site No. 71 marked on a plan by N.F. Kalinin (compiled in the 1930–40s). The investigated site corresponds to the far periphery of the fortified settlement: the cultural at the site contains a scarce number of findings and has been completely disrupted as a result of ploughing. The excavation features pillar and household pits associated with a ground structure. The structure was erected from wood and clay (earth bricks). The major portion of the building was presumably located outside of the excavation to the West. Perhaps, site No. 71 was plotted on the plan by N.F. Kalinin due to the high concentration of burnt earth bricks in the ploughland. The authors admit the possibility of other territorial locations of site No. 71. According to the discovered coins, the authors are convinced that the site was reclaimed within a very short period of time in the 1330–40s.

Keywords

• archaeology
• Volga Bolgaria
• the Golden Horde
• Bolgar fortified settlement
• excavations
• landscape