"Cultural Layer of Kurgan City": Determination, Studying, Findings, Issues and Prospects"

Abstract

Cultural Layer of Kurgan City archaeological monument was established in 2005. Since 2009 it has been exposed to archaeological excavations at different city mansions dated 1700s – early 1900s and situated within the determined site of cultural heritage. The article briefly describes 14 excavation sites. All works were subject to a commercial contract. It allowed to research relatively substantial areas of the monument. Excavations were arranged in various parts of the historic development including periphery. The research of the periphery is unlikely under the scheduled works. The article describes how the monument was detected and studied and what findings were made. The study reveals how the archaeological finds correlate with the discovered records of the main owners of these mansions. Cultural Layer of Kurgan City archaeological monument is a unique source of information about the tangible culture of citizens in the mid–1700s through the early site 1900s. The paper reviews how the monument was explored through the prospective of particular finds, natural science researches, construction technologies and particular serial sites. The authors generalize the ceramic production, glass production and hygiene in the area. The article outlines the key problems associated with inadequate research of the Cultural Layer of Kurgan City and inferior comparison of archives and archaeological materials. The total area of the monument is 978 thousand sq. m. Yet, due to various reasons it annually loses several thousand square meters with no hope of return.