Abstract
The article discusses the interpretation of a mysterious underground building, situated in the Derbent citadel Naryn-Kala. This monumental structure is a crucifix (Latin cross) in plan, oriented with a long axis along the NNW-SSE line, roofed with pointed arches and a dome. On the plans of the citadel of Derbent in the early-mid-19th century, this underground building is indicated as a cruciform structure with the caption “water reservoir”. In historical, reference literature and documentation it is defined as an underground water reservoir of the 17th – 18th centuries. In 1976, A.A. Kudryavstev first suggested that this building was originally a church of the 5th – 6th centuries. After almost 40 years, his suggestion was recognized as an established fact, however, with no solid ground or any supplementary reasons. At the same time, distortion of facts and forgery were recorded. This unfounded opinion was promoted even by high-ranking government officials. In 1998, G.M. Kurbanov assumed a possible interpretation of this site as a Zoroastrian fire temple. In 2020, V.L. Myts speculated that this is a Christian martyrium. However, architectural and archeological data contradict these interpretations: the land-based, early medieval, or religious nature of the building has not been proved. Comprehensive (architectural, archeological, magnetometric, etc.) study of this site, without large-scale archeological excavations, is needed.
Highlights
The article discusses the interpretation of a mysterious underground building
On the plans of the citadel of Derbent in the early – mid-19th century this underground building is indicated as a cruciform structure with the caption
In historical, reference literature and documentation it is defined as an underground water reservoir of the 17th – 18th centuries
Summary
Как заключает автор, «предположить, что данное сооружение является крестообразной церковью, возведенной здесь в V−VI вв.» [4, с. (раскоп V) у северного крыла здания, не была выявлена его наружная поверхность, не было зафиксировано примыкание культурных слоев к внешней вертикальной плоскости сооружения, не было установлено, что это здание некогда являлось наземным, не было определено время его строительства, но было доказано его функционирование как водохранилища в новое время и установлена мощность культурного слоя до [7,5] м, ниже которого следовала материковая почва без культурных остатков2.
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