Fortified settlements of the XII–XIV centuries in the European Northeast. Pozheg hillfort (reconstruction experience)

Abstract

The article presents a brief review of the results of studies of the fortification lines of the Pozheg hillfort – the only well-fortified settlement studied in the European Northeast (Komi Republic), which functioned during the XII–XIV centuries. This small hillfort (about 1550 m 2) was founded in the valley of the Vym River as an Old Rus outpost on the way to the Trans-Urals. It reached its greatest prosperity in the first half of the XIII century. The remains of buildings of three construction stages (XII, XIII and XIV centuries) have been studied by excavations at the site, the system of wood and earth fortifications (ditches, log walls, bulwarks) typical for small fortresses of medieval Russia has been discovered. An attempt is made to reconstruct the general appearance of the defensive structures of the Pozheg ancient settlement and a preliminary assessment of the main labor inputs in their construction is carried out. The types of fortress buildings are distinguished, the schemes of defensive lines, the size of the ancient settlement and their changes by stages of construction are considered.