Formation Peculiarities of the Cultural Layer at the Ostolopovo Settlement of the Late X–XII Centuries in Tatarstan and its Topographic Chronology

Abstract

The paper deals with issues related to the formation of the cultural layer at the Ostolopovo settlement in the Alekseevsk district of Tatarstan. The ancient settlement arose at the end of the XX century and existed until the second half of the XII century. This is one of the Bolgar trade and craft settlements that appeared in the lower parts of the Kama River in the second half of the X century. This archaeological site is distinguished by good stratigraphy, a clear division into layers, dated by a set of finds and numismatic material. The dates were confirmed by carbon-14 dating. Research on the western and eastern parts of the settlement made it possible to determine the peculiarities of stratigraphy in these areas of the site. It was also found out that life in the settlement was interrupted for some time as a result of raids by nomads and the tragic death of its inhabitants. At the beginning of excavations at the settlement, a small earthen mound was recorded that crossed the settlement from north to south. It did not have a defensive character due to its parameters and the absence of a moat. The height of the mound did not exceed 60 cm, its width was about 1.7 - 2 m. It consisted of gray sandy loam, with virtually no finds. In the second half of 2000, this mound was studied during two excavations – XIX and XX. It was found that the mound in some excavation areas overlays the cultural layer of the XI century. Also in the layer that covered this mound, objects that existed in Volga Bolgaria, mainly of the XII century, were discovered. Thus, an analysis of the stratigraphic situation made it possible to establish that this mound was erected in the late period of the settlement’s existence, probably after the destruction of this settlement at the beginning of the XII century. Part of it consisted of ash with carbon layers from the clearing of burnt buildings, while another part was composed of waste from new household pits. Therefore, the mound serves as a kind of topographical marker, separating the abandoned part of the settlement from the rebuilt section.