Part II Archaeological Excavations - Center for the Study of Eurasian ...

Kurgans, Ritual Sites, and Settlements: Eurasian Bronze and Iron Age
ditch. The exterior rampart is an irregular half-circle, approximately
5-6 m in width and has a height from the inside depth of
approximately 0.2-0.5 m. The exterior ditch is 5-6 m wide and
its depth in certain locations reaches up to 80-90 cm. The ground
within the fortress lies along the northern side; it is multi-oval
in shape and is also delimited by a rampart and ditch. The exterior
rampart was 7-8 m in width and 0.2-1.0 m in height, and
the corresponding ditch had a width of 3-6 m.
In addition, on both grounds, low sloped banks with rising hills
are probably the remains of defensive constructions. The defensive
system is more significant on the eastern side as a result
of the necessity to protect the fortress at its most vulnerable
point. Numerous depressions–the remains of ancient dwellings–have
been found near the fortress grounds covering an
area of approximately 25,000 sq. m. The Prygovsky fortress
provides evidence that livestock breeders occupied the Transural
environment between the 7th century BC and 13th century AD.
Definitive stratigraphy has revealed several chronological horizons
represented by various structures, including houses, storage
pits, fireplaces, and special pottery types. Three major chronological
horizons were identified.
Third building horizon
The third building horizon is the latest and is dated to the 10th–
13th centuries AD. A surface house (Number 1) and the remains
of several hearths relating to the house, were found. The
rectangular house, with a central hearth, measured 7–7.5 x 5.5–
8 m. Remains of wooden constructions (roof and walls) were
recorded at the corners.
Second building horizon
The second building horizon was dated to the 2nd century BC–
1st century AD. House Number 2 (Fig. 5) was situated beneath
House Number 1 described above. Of rectangular shape, this
house was constructed upon pillars which were indicated by
dark stains on the floor. Traces of house repairs were noted
and, according to the artifact distribution, it is apparent that all
changes took place during a single period of occupation. The
fireplace, located in the center of the house, was ring-shaped
and measured 40 cm in diameter with a depth of 10 cm. This
dwelling consisted of a living room and an antechamber linked
by long corridor.
Three concentrations of vessels were excavated on the floor of
the house. Two of these were positioned adjacent to the fireplace;
the other group of vessels had been placed in a pit in the
southern corner of the central rectangular area. This house
yielded mostly ceramics of the Prygovsky type. A second rectangular
house (Number 4) with analogous construction and
associated with the second building horizon, was also partially
investigated. Measuring 4–4.5 x 3.3 m, its foundation was cut
into the ground surface by not more than 30 cm. A fireplace
connected with a small ditch has been placed in the center of
the house.
The remains of another house, contemporary with this horizon,
were excavated beyond the defensive line (Excavation Area
66
6). The main architectural feature of this house was the main
square chamber which measured approximately 23 sq m, and
was delimited by narrow trenches that served to hold horizontally
placed wooden logs that, in turn, supported pillars. Traces
of the pillar were represented by postholes. A central hearth,
also used for cooking, would have heated this chamber. The
sleeping areas were located along the north-eastern side of the
house, and were defined by a special fence that was indicated
by a small trench. The entrance, which was placed in the southwestern
corner, was of antechamber construction. Adjacent to
the door, a large hole had been dug to hold wood. It is quite
probable that this chamber would have had an extension that
had not been sunk into the soil. The stratigraphy indicated that
the house was inhabited for only a single period.
The remains of House Numbers 2 and 4, and the house from
the area outside the fortification were all associated with the
second chronological horizon (Fig. 4). Sargat and Prygovsky
pottery types were associated with this stratum. Thus, their chronological
position was determined by their intermediate position
between the earliest and latest deposits.
First building horizon
The earliest horizon was represented by the remains of House
Number 3, which had been partly damaged by later structures,
and Structure 6 which corresponded to a small household construction.
This horizon included ceramics of Nosilovo, Baitovo,
Gorokhovo, Vorobievo and Itkul types. Bronze arrowheads,
characteristic of those used during the 7th–4th centuries BC,
provide a preliminary chronology for this horizon. It is possible
that the earliest burials in the Prygovsky kurgans were
synchronous to some areas associated with the first building
horizon of the fortress.
The stratigraphy indicated that the internal ditch of the fortress
had been constructed during the Middle Ages and should be
connected with the third chronological horizon. In contrast, the
external ditch is associated with the Iron Age.
The number of artifacts recovered from this excavation was
rather high–approximately 2000 finds, excluding bones. A total
of 90% of this material was represented by ceramics. Other
types of artifacts included metal, bone, stone, and clay articles
(Fig. 6). Bronze arrowheads are related to Sauromatian types
dated to the 5th–4th centuries BC. Small blue glass beads are
analogous to those produced in Egyptian workshops, that were
in use during the 1st–2nd centuries AD. A bronze adz-shaped
object was dated to the Medieval period (Late Iron Age), as
was an iron awl, and three bone dart heads. Many remains are
indicative of metallurgical working; among these were a concentration
of iron slag, pieces of malachite, sherds of technological
vessels, and cauldrons which were used for smelting.
Of note is a two-sided talcum stone mold; one side was used
for the production of an ax, while the other was used for the
creation of a bird similar to those of the Ural Style. Many
spindlewhorls that had been made from pottery sherds were
also excavated from all three horizons. Pottery debris also appears
to have been utilized as polishing tools.