Archaeological Expedition Research Articles

The Russian Archaeological Project in South America: Principal Findings and Prospects

This study outlines the findings of field and laboratory studies by the first Russian archaeological expedition to South America in 2014–2015 and 2017–2018 in collaboration with colleagues from Ecuador and Japan. The project focused on sites of the Archaic (10.8–6.6 ka BP) and Early Formative period (5.5–3.5 ka BP) in the coastal zone of Santa Elena Province, Ecuador. Excavations at Real Alto (Valdivia culture) and Loma Alto (Las Vegas culture) yielded representative archaeological, anthropological, and faunal samples and a large series of AMS dates, providing a basis for a number of novel proposals regarding the chronology and periodization of cultures, their origin, and early pottery-production in South America. Specifically, we have demonstrated that at the very beginning of the Formative period, two early ceramic traditions coexisted—Valdivia and “San Pedro”. We have demonstrated the peculiarity of the “Tropical package” in the stone toolkit, and traced the previously unknown features of the funerary rites of the Las Vegas and Valdivia cultures. Radiocarbon analysis helped to correct the chronology of the late stage of the pre-ceramic Las Vegas culture (8.0–4.8 ka BP) and to estimate the tentative date of the earliest pottery manufacture at 4.8–4.7 ka BP. In conclusion, we outline the top priorities and prospects of Russian archaeological studies on the Pacific coast of South America, underscoring the importance of international cooperation.

Единственные древние наскальные изображения Российской Европейской Арктики (Чальмн-Варрэ, Канозеро, Пяйва, Майка)

Over the past 50 years (1973–2023), as the result of the researches by the Kola archaeological expedition of the Leningrad Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR/IHMC RAS (since 1991), its employees discovered and studied the petroglyphs of Chalmn-Varre, Kanozero and pisanitsy on the Rybachy Peninsula (Pyaiva and Mayka) in the Murmansk region. Since other rock ensembles of the Russian European North (Karelian and Vishera) are located south of the Arctic Circle, only these Kola objects can reasonably be recognized as the only monuments of ancient monumental creativity of the Russian European Arctic that have so far survived. It is likely that if hundreds of small petroglyphic collections and all the writings of Fennoscandia were “chamber” sanctuaries for small groups of the ancient population, then large galleries served the same purposes for large communities, including not one, but perhaps dozens of settlements, distant from such famous places of worship over considerable distances. The sanctuaries themselves were a gathering place during certain agreed periods and served for joint ritualistic actions: celebrations, initiations, etc. Relics of monumental art are fascinating, complex and multifaceted objects of study. Their use as a source in historical and cultural developments, art history, the evolution of intelligence and cognitive psychology, religion and mythology requires careful archaeological analysis. To successfully work through this subject, in the first place it is necessary to carefully and accurately document images, determine the exact age, and give comparative characteristics (style, carving/drawing technique, composition, landscape environment, microrelief) of various places of ancient rock art. In connection with the development of new technical and natural methods, significant progress has recently been achieved in this “field”. This progress is the most obvious when specialists from different countries work together.

Сосуды с эпиграфическими и псевдо­эпиграфическими надписями с территории Царевского городища

Research objectives: To study 14th century vessels with epigraphic and pseudo-epigraphic inscriptions. Research materials: Ceramic vessels kept in the Archaeological Museum of Kazan Federal University. Results and novelty of the research: In the 1960s, large-scale archaeological work was carried out on the archaeological sit of Tsarevskoye settlement by the Volga Archaeological Expedition led by G.A. Fedorov-Davydov. A group from Kazan State University (led by I.S. Weiner) also took part in the the expedition. As a result, a large layer of material sources was obtained within which, the most massive example of material was ceramics. To date, archeological objects discovered during the excavations of the Tsarevskoye settlement in 1961–1968 are in the funds of the Archaeological Museum of the Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University. In addition to the artistic merits of the ceramics of the Golden Horde era, these items have a special scientific source-study significance since, being obtained as a result of field research, they are stratified and provided with an archaeological context. As part of the study, five stonepaste-based glazed vessels, one Central Asian stamped jug, and one die for the manufacture of stamped dishes were considered as the main research subjects. Vessels with epigraphic inscriptions meet analogies among the materials of the Lower Volga and Central Asian sites. Thus, the article introduces new data obtained as a result of epigraphic, linguistic, and comparative analyses of the collection originating from the territory of the eastern suburb of Tsarevskoye settlement of the 14th century.

НОВЫЙ КАТЫШ IVА И IVБ — КУЛАЙСКИЕ ПОСЕЛЕНИЯ В БАССЕЙНЕ Р. КОНДЫ (ЗАПАДНАЯ СИБИРЬ)

In 1980, the Kondinsky detachment of the Ural Archaeological expedition conducted excavations in the vicinity of the village of Novy Katysh (Kondinsky district, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug). The revealed buildings are typical for the monuments of the Early Iron Age of the Taiga zone of Western Siberia. The dwellings with deepened pits at the Novy Katysh IVa settlement are located further from the coastal edge than the above-ground buildings at the Novy Katysh IVb. Perhaps this reflects the different seasons of their habitat. The cult casting finds correspondences in the metal plastics of the Surgut Ob region. For the manufacture of pottery, the potters used hardened clays. One range of artificial additives was used: soil, chamotte, sand, organic solution. There is a difference in the traditions of forming the molding mass between the two sites. Three recipes with predominance of mixed Clay + Chamotte + Sand were found at the Novy Katysh IVa settlement. At the Novy Katysh IVb settlement, seven recipes were identified in both buildings, but two unmixed recipes — Clay + Sand and Clay + Chamotte — are dominant. A comparison of the Novokatysh ware with the Kulai ware of the Surgut Ob region suggested that in the latter the tradition of adding sand to the molding mass is introduced. One of its sources could be the Kulai population living in the Konda River basin. The route from the Konda basin to the Middle Ob has been known since the Neolithic. On this route, the Central Ob Kulai population could develop new territories. The return route could be associated with marital contacts, ritual acts, trade and exchange relations.

Городище у деревни Вырск

The article is devoted to the newly discovered archaeological site – a hillfort near the village of Vyrsk and its historical and geographical interpretation. The settlement is located on the banks of the Srednyaya Vyrka River (the left tributary of the Oka River), near the village of Vyrsk, Kozelsky district, Kaluga region. The Tula archaeological expedition of the Museum-Reserve «Kulikovo Field» carried out a field work at the site in 2021. As a result, several stages of the existence of the settlement were identified: 4th–5th (the Moshchiny culture), 9th–10th (the Romny culture), 12th–13th (the Kievan Rus’ era), 14th–16th centuries (the late Middle Ages period). The late medieval horizon of the site can be identified with the center of the Kozelsk volost of Vyrsk. Vyrsk was first mentioned in the 1445 contractual document between the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Vasilyevich with Prince Ivan Andreevich and Prince Mikhail Andreevich. Vyrsk is also mentioned in the 1447 contract document and in the will of Ivan III. In 1902, V. N. Debolsky expressed a hypothesis about the location of the Vyrka volost on the left bank of the Oka River. The published research confirmed the historian’s assumption. Cadastral documents and maps made it possible to establish that the Ivanovo churchyard was located on the site “on the river on Vyrka” of the Vyrsky camp of Belevsky district in the 17th–18th centuries.

АРХЕОЛОГІЧНІ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ДАВНЬОРУСЬКИХ ПОСЕЛЕНЬ 10–13 СТОЛІТЬ НА ТЕРИТОРІЇ СЛОВЕЧАНСЬКО-ОВРУЦЬКОГО КРЯЖУ

The article highlights the history of research on the peculiarities of the settlement structure of theAncient Rus period on the territory of a unique natural formation – the Slovechansko-Ovruchskyi ridge, located in the north of the Zhytomyr region. The purpose of the article: to analyze the stages of research of ancient Rus objects that had special conditions of development during the 10–13 centuries. The methodological basis of the research is the principle of scientificity, methods of empirical and theoretical research. Scientific novelty: for the first time, information on the study of ancient Russian settlements, which arose and developed in specific economic conditions during the 10-13 centuries, was analyzed and systematized. Conclusions. In addition to good fertile soils and a favorable climate for agriculture, the territory of the Ovrutsky ridge also attracted people with deposits of pink pyrophyllite slates. Mining, processing and manufacturing of things from it become the main occupation of the local the Ancient Rus population. A unique settlement structure is formed on the territory of the ridge, which traditionally consists of a settlement, a post, open settlements and burial grounds. But the peculiarity is that open settlements have a large area, they can conditionally be combined into agglomerations. Also, the settlements are specialized, their population is closely related to the development of pyrophyllite deposits, its extraction, processing, and transportation are the main occupations of the ancient Rus population of the Ovrutsky Ridge. Ancient Rus on the specified territory were destroyed for a long time, but from the end of the 9th century. they began to be discovered and recorded by scientists. During the entire 20th century the sights of the region were examined by archaeologists, but no research was carried out. only from the end of the 20th century. The Ovrutsk archaeological expedition started working in the region, which discovered unique sights - specialized settlements with a rich cultural layer. But the archaeological sites of the region also require protection. The activities of the employees of the Ovrutsk archaeological expedition within the framework of the "Ovrutsk project" created for the study and protection of the monuments of the former Ovrutsk volost are aimed at this.

The history of the study of the Turkic monuments of Saryarka

The Early Medieval period is one of the least studied historical periods of Saryarka in archaeological terms.The current situation is aggravated by the lack of direct written information about this rather long period of time, covering an entire millennium. The eventful epoch begins in the middle of the VI century, with the annexation of the lands of Central Kazakhstan, as well as Semirechye and Khorezm to the Turkic Khaganate.The beginning of the research of Early Medieval monuments is associated with the work of the Central Ka-zakhstan Archaeological expedition, then the study was continued by the Saryarka archaeological expedition and the Karaganda University named after E.A. Buketov. It should be noted that in recent years there has been a positive trend in the study of funerary and memorial early medieval monuments of Central Kazakh-stan. However, the accumulated materials are still few and without systematic research, positive changes are not expected in the coming years, and the stage of primary data accumulation may last for more than a dec-ade

Investigation of the Bolshye Pamyaly Burial Ground in 2022

The article discusses the results of rescue archaeological work on the territory of the identified object of cultural heritage "Bolshye Pamyaly village. Burial ground", located in the Kilemarsky district of the Republic of Mari El. The research was carried out by the archaeological expedition of the Mari State University under the leadership of B.S. Solovyov. Excavations were carried out on the territory of laying communications to the building of the school under construction. During the construction, part of the archaeological site was destroyed. During the work, two male and two female burials were discovered, oriented to the west. Ornaments and details of women's costume characteristic of the Mari culture were found within women's burials. Male burials are accompanied by household equipment and tools. All the burials contained numismatic material sufficient to date the burial ground to the second half of the XVIII century. The information obtained during the study of the burial ground is significant for characterizing the historical, cultural, religious and economic aspects of the life of the Mari population in the Russian Empire.

Burial complexes of the Catacomb culture: To the 20th anniversary of the work of the Steppe Archaeological Expedition of State Historical Museum in Remontnensky district in Rostov region

The study discusses the results of the excavations and the studies of the burial complexes of two local variants of the catacomb culture of the Middle Bronze Age of the Northwestern Caspian Sea region in the Remontnoye district (Rostov oblast). Being based on a comparative analysis, the author argues the validity of the allocation of local variants of catacomb culture - Eastern and Western that were adjacent to each other and entered into cultural contact. It is manifested in the use of similar tools, weapons, jewelry and dishes decorated in the same style but with the allocation of the local features of production technology figuration. According to the author, these features are the hallmark for determining the cultural identity of the burials of the Manych catacomb cultures.

Report on archaeological expedition of Kvemo Machakheli, Kedkedi village (Sindieti) (2021year)

Report on archaeological expedition of Kvemo Machakheli, Kedkedi village (Sindieti) (2021year)

Изучение и публикация наследия Нубийской археологической экспедиции АН СССР. Петроглифы Умм-Агаиба (Хукаб-Карар). Часть 2. Историко-культурный контекст памятника

Introduction. This article is a publication of the first results of the work under the grant of the Russian Sciences Foundation "Scientific research of the Nubian Archaeological Expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences 1961–1963…" related to the study of petroglyphs found during the work of the Nubian Expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences, organized in 1961. Materials and methods. After construction of the Aswan dam, the territories where the Soviet expedition worked as well as many other foreign scientific organizations, were flooded. Thus, the negatives of black-and-white photographs of petroglyphs preserved in the archives, along with some previously published data, are the only source of our information. Individual petroglyphs and groups of petroglyphs have never been outlined properly. This became our task at the first stage, when the drawings of individual signs were made in the Photoshop program (Adobe Photoshop CC version 10.1.2 ×64). Results and discussion. In recent decades the study of petroglyphs of the Eastern and Nubian deserts has become one of the main areas of archaeologists’ work. It seems relevant to us to re-study the petroglyphs discovered by the Nubian Soviet expedition, analysis of some subjects and images, development of the main approaches to study. The study of the approaches existing in the scientific literature to the dating and classification of petroglyphs of the Eastern and Nubian deserts gives an idea of the disputable nature of the most chronologies. The study of petroglyphs of Hukab-Karar is complicated by the limitations of the source – the quality of the photo does not always allow us to draw conclusions about the technique of execution of a particular sign. Nevertheless, a number of these petroglyphs can be dated by analogy with the petroglyphs from the well-known sites, as well as using published and handwritten descriptions of the participants of the Nubian expedition. Conclusion. About 200 petroglyphs discovered by the Nubian Expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences in a place called Umm-Aghaib (Huqab-Karar) have been published. Among them are numerous images of African fauna are presented. There are also images of hunting scenes, animals and birds, boats, tribal signs, anthropomorphic images dating to the widest historical period. @ 2023. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license

Architecture of Medieval Armenia as a Field of Research for Russian and Italian Scholars: Comparative Analyses of the Historiography

For the first time in the literature, this study provides an analysis of the activities of two major architectural–archeological missions that investigated the architectural heritage of the Armenian Highlands: the Russian Ani Archaeological Expedition (1892–1893 and 1904–1917) and the Italian academic programs of the Universities of Rome and Venice and that of Milan Polytechnic (from 1966 to the 1980s). In this article, the results of the conducted research are compared, and their contribution to the development of the history of medieval architecture is evaluated. The differences in the results are related to the chronological distance between the missions, as well as the main focus of each work: the activities of the Russians are primarily archeological, while those of the Italian groups are architectural. The head of the Ani Institute, Nikolay Marr, set himself the task of exhibiting the original artifacts in the museum he had created in the medieval capital of Armenia, Ani, while the Italian professors relied on photography for both permanent and touring exhibitions. The second mission was in unspoken contact with the first, forming a kind of time-stretched dialog. Although, by the 1970s, almost none of the participants in Marr’s expedition remained alive, his scientific works were periodically being published, with some still waiting their turn in the scientific archives.

Core-Shaped Tools from the Early Pleistocene Deposits at Bairaki, Moldova

This a rticle deals with a series of core-shaped tools from Early Pleistocene deposits (layers 5 and 6) of the stratifi ed site of Bairaki, located on high above-fl oodplain terrace VII of the Dniester, in the outskirts of Dubăsari, Moldova. The site was discovered in 2010 by the joint Russian-Moldovan archaeological expedition and excavated in 2011– 2014. The interdisciplinary studies revealed six layers with Early Paleolithic artifacts. Two lowest layers (5 and 6) are associated with the channel alluvium of terrace VII. The paleomagnetic studies have shown that these deposits correspond to the Jaramillo episode of the Matuyama epoch. The lithic industry of layers 5 and 6 are comparable to the Late Oldowan. Most artifacts are made of poor quality fl int; there are also pebble tools made of non-silicic rocks. Most lithics are small. A distinct series of core-shaped end-scrapers and side-scrapers made on residual cores (9 spec.), fragments (1 spec.), and fl akes (5 spec.) is identifi ed. All these tools are robust and had been processed in a similar way. They are made of pebbles no larger than 6 сm. The steep working edges of all implements in this series are heavily retouched. Similar items have been recorded from the Early Paleolithic materials of the region. Such tools were widespread in the Early Paleolithic of Africa and Eurasia. The earliest pieces were found in the Bed I assemblage of the Olduvai Gorge.

The history of the study of the Turkic monuments of Saryarka

The Early Medieval period is one of the least studied historical periods of Saryarka in archaeological terms.The current situation is aggravated by the lack of direct written information about this rather long period of time, covering an entire millennium. The eventful epoch begins in the middle of the VI century, with the annexation of the lands of Central Kazakhstan, as well as Semirechye and Khorezm to the Turkic Khaganate.The beginning of the research of Early Medieval monuments is associated with the work of the Central Ka-zakhstan Archaeological expedition, then the study was continued by the Saryarka archaeological expedition and the Karaganda University named after E.A. Buketov. It should be noted that in recent years there has been a positive trend in the study of funerary and memorial early medieval monuments of Central Kazakh-stan. However, the accumulated materials are still few and without systematic research, positive changes are not expected in the coming years, and the stage of primary data accumulation may last for more than a dec-ade

Типология и генезис циркульных знаков петроглифов Кайракколь и Аксу

Петроглифы Кайракколь и Аксу входят в группу памятников археологического комплекса Таусамалы, расположенного в Аксуском районе Жетысуской области. В составе комплекса зафиксированы три могильника и поселение раннего железного века, одиночные и небольшие группы курганов, которые предварительно датированы эпохой Средневековья, и скопления разновременных петроглифов. Памятники занимают территорию от окраин поселка Таусамалы и восточных склонов гор Каракунгей довосточной оконечности плато Суук в горах Кайракколь. Исследование комплекса началось в 2019 году с аварийных раскопок сотрудниками ТОО «Археологическая экспедиция» на кургане, содержащем погребение пазырыкского типа, впоследствии включенном в состав крупного могильника Таусамалы. Уникальные материалы, полученные в ходе этой работы, позволили продолжить изучение памятника.С 2020 года ТОО «Археологическая экспедиция» и Жетысуское областное управление по охране и использованию историко-культурного наследия проводят совместные и планомерные исследования на вновь обнаруженном могильнике и в его окрестностях. В 2022 году на археологическом комплексе приступил к работе таусамальский отряд Института археологии им. А.Х. Маргулана. В результате проведенной археологической разведки выявлены новые памятники, скопления петроглифов, среди которых отмечается коллекция циркульных знаков. Полученные в 2022 году данные позволили успешно выполнить первоначальную попытку их систематизации. Публикуемая коллекция включает 25 циркульных знаков с пяти крупных скоплений петроглифов. В работе учтены характеристики как самих изображений, так и их пространственное и топографическое положение. На основе выделенных параметров построена первичная типология и осуществлена попытка анализа генезиса циркульных изображений. Составлены визуализированные комбинации исходных и производных групп изображений. В результате проведенного исследования знаки разделены на два основных вида — собственно циркульные и очковидные наскальные изображения. Каждый вид изображений с учетом фиксируемых характеристик разбит на три группы. В список выделенных циркульных знаков входят изображения зам

Experimental Work on the Production of Ceramics of the Chirik-Rabat Culture

The article introduces the results, descriptions and analysis of the experiment on the reconstruction of the molding mass and the manufacture of ceramic vessels of the Chirik-Rabat culture (3rd–2nd centuries BC). The site adjacent to the pottery workshops of the Babish-mola 7 archaeological complex (Eastern Aral Sea region) was used as a landfill. There is the Akkyr hill nearby, abounding in reserves of clay raw materials. The experiment was conducted during the field research of the Chirik-Rabat archaeological expedition of the Margulan Institute of Archaeology in 2022. The main objective of this experiment was to determine all aspects of the production cycle for the manufacture of ceramic vessels – from collecting raw materials for the manufacture of ceramics, designing vessels, firing and ending with obtaining the result. During the experimental work, a search was carried out for clay deposits near the Babish-mola oasis along the riverbeds. The process of collecting organic matter (cattle manure) was carried out in the nearest settlement, located 60 km from the Babish-mola monument, for the admixture of chamotte, featureless fragments of ceramics from the monument were used. The vessels were formed on a single-disc turntable.

Archaeological Research of the Southern Slopes of Karatau (Shimayla Complex)

The authors analyze the results of the study of the archaeological complex of Shimaila. The complex includes rock carvings and a burial mound. These objects were investigated by the Karatau archaeological expedition of Ahmed Yasawi University under the leadership of S.S. Murgabayev. The research materials are being introduced into scientific discourse for the first time. The chronological framework of petroglyphs dates from the Bronze Age to the Early Middle Ages. During the excavations, three mounds were uncovered, the peculiarity of their structures was recorded, as well as the analysis of the accompanying inventory became the basis for the conclusion about the dating of burial structures within the middle of the IV century BC – II century BC. As part of the accompanying inventory, a two-edged sword, arrowheads, an earring and a pendant, a bronze mirror with a handle, a stone altar and beads. These objects, as well as the locations of petroglyphs, demonstrate the prospects for further field studies of Karatau monuments for the reconstruction of complex processes of cultural genesis in the Central Asian region from the Bronze Age to the turn of our era.

Открытие Н. Н. Диковым палеоэскимосской стоянки на острове Врангеля

The article provides the data on the ancient aboriginal population stay on Wrangel Island. The N. N. Dikov archaeological expedition to the island and his discovery of the Chyortov Ovrag Paleoeskimo site on the coast of Krasin Inlet (Somnityelnaya Bay area) is comprehensively reported. Brief information about the subsequent archaeological work at this site is given. It has been established that the appearance of the Paleoeskimo tradition of about 3.5 kyr in the Far North-East of Asia is associated with the migration of Arctic America's Paleoeskimo groups to the Bering Strait zone. An important conclusion made by N. N. Dikov is that the Wrangel Paleoeskimo culture tends to the Pacific coastal cultures and, apparently, is a part of the oldest single and broad cultural layer, which served as a basis for many North Pacific coastal cultures Today's researchers consider Paleoeskimo the settlement of Unenen, discovered in the south of the Chukchi Peninsula, the Dolakhtin sites in the Northwestern Beringomorye, the Tokarev culture in the Northern Priokhotye. The Paleoescoaleutian tradition had a certain influence on the development of the Tarya culture of the II-I millennia BC in Kamchatka.

An object of great archaeological value in the Museum of Mitrovica

Archeology is the science that allowed us to know the past of human societies and brought to light many exhibits, whether movable or static. However, random finds are just as valuable as those that are made with purpose and prepared, such as archaeological expeditions.
 The Muse statue in Mitrovica was accidentally discovered during the excavation of the foundations for the construction of the city's gymnasium, but its value is extremely high since it is unique in Kosovo, while in other countries it is very rare.
 The statue of the Muse is made of lead, which shows us that this region knew the processing of metals very early, it also gives us information that apart from exploitation, the craft of metal processing was also very well known.
 The statue of the Museum in Mitrovica is one of the most precious exhibits that is kept in the city museum, this exhibit also has a special security, while its copy is presented to the public in the museum exhibition.

Комплексное исследование индивидов из двух могил некрополя Кыз-Аул

Two graves of the 2 nd—3 rd centuries were found by the archaeological expedition to the Kyz-Aul necropolis in 2021. They contained remains of six individuals. We implemented an anthropological study of the skeletons and an archaeoparasitological analysis of soil samples. We identified sex and age and described pathological and individual features of the appearance of children and adults. An intravital artificial deformation of the skull was recorded in two adult individuals from grave 199. There are no signs of skull deformation in children from the same grave. Whipworm (Lat. Trichuris trichiura) eggs were found in soil samples from four out of six individuals. It is an intestinal parasite that enters the human body through the consumption of contaminated foods or unboiled water. The study showed that children and adults buried in the necropolis have many features characteristic of the settled population of the Northern Black Sea region, Rome and Roman provinces.