Zolotarevskoye settlement is a unique historical monument of its kind. This place has been explored for over a hundred years. Each archaeological expedition discovers new historical facts and cultural values. This helps contemporaries to better know their cultural heritage and the history of their ancestors. There are several names of the Zolotarevsky settlement: "Crossroads of civilizations", "Russian Pompeii". All this speaks of the incredible value of this archaeological site.
Location of the settlement
Zolotarevskoye settlement is located in the Penza region, not far from the village of Zolotarevka. The location of the monument is characterized by hilly terrain. Traces of the settlement were found in the upper reaches of the right tributary of the Volga - the Sura River, along the Kudeyarov ravine, along which the Medaevka stream flows.
In addition to the settlement, archaeologists discovered three settlements. One of them is located to the east, across the ravine from the settlement. The second is from the southwest, the third is from the west. The third settlement, like the first, is separated from the Zolotorevsky settlement by a stream.
The settlement is located ontwenty meters high between ravines and surrounded by ditches. Trapping pits are placed in a checkerboard pattern behind the outer rampart - elements of the settlement's defense, which continue from the first to the third settlement. The settlement covers an area of thirteen hectares. The archaeological site is located in the center of the territory on an area of two and a half hectares. When considering the Zolotarevsky settlement from the photo taken from above, it is clearly seen that the settlement is a fortress (fortification) in the form of a triangle, from which settlements are located on three sides.
Research history
The first mention of the find dates back to 1882. The discovery of the settlement belongs to the historian, local historian and archaeologist Fedor Fedorovich Chekalin. Then he assumed that he had found a settlement of the seventeenth century. For the next half century, no archaeological expeditions were sent to Zolotarevka. The only visitors to the settlement were local residents who were looking for valuables on the site of the ancient city.
Only since 1952, archaeologist Mikhail Romanovich Polesskikh continued to explore the Zolotarevsky settlement in the Penza region. At first, his group conducted reconnaissance expeditions. Excavations began only seven years later. At the first stage of the study, the archaeologist identified the settlement as a settlement of the Burtas people, which corresponded to the thirteenth century.
However, during the excavations, exhibits belonging to the Bulgars and Mordovians were discovered. Thus, the history of the Zolotarevsky settlement turned out to be a century longer thanpreviously assumed. Numerous disputes arose among researchers regarding the dating of the monument, so the excavations ended only in 1977. Great damage to the preservation of the first cultural layer of the settlement was caused by plowing the land for afforestation.
At the end of the last millennium, research was continued by a group of archaeologists from the Pedagogical University of Penza. The Zolotarevskoe hill fort turned out to be not the only settlement. Three settlements and a defensive system were found on three sides of the settlement. This finding helped answer many questions. First of all, scientists managed to compile a chronology of the area. Items dating back to the third century were found at the excavation site.
Crossroads of civilizations
Zolotarevskoye settlement at different times was inhabited by different peoples of the Volga region. It has been established that until the eleventh century the main inhabitants of the settlement were the Mordovians, namely the sub-ethnos - Moksha. This is evidenced by typical Moksha household items found during excavations. In addition, in the stories about Ancient Russia, there is often a mention of the Moksha Sernya fortress, which today is better known as the Zolotarevsky settlement.
In the tenth century the fortress was conquered by the Burtases, and in the eleventh century it belonged to the Volga Bulgaria. Finds in the settlement also allow us to assert that there were askiz among the inhabitants. Thus, at different times Mordovians, Bulgars, Burtases and Russians inhabited Gorodishe.
Buildings on the territory of the settlement
Several structures were explored during the excavations. They helpedget an idea about the features of the construction of the settlement.
Most of the dwellings were pits up to half a meter deep with wicker walls. Holes for hearths were dug in the floor. This type of structure and household items found in the dwellings allow us to classify them as tenth-century structures. Timber-type structures were also found in the settlement.
Among the outbuildings, the barn is the best preserved. The barn had wicker walls and a foundation pit. Accumulations of burnt grains were found in the pit. Near the dwellings there were pits for storing food.
Life of the settlement
Objects found during the excavations allow us to form an opinion about the life and life of the settlement. First of all, it should be noted that trade flourished in the settlement. The location of the settlement contributed to this, since the trade route between Kyiv and Bulgar, which was a branch of the Silk Road, passed through the upper reaches of the Sura. The presence of a market in one of the villages, found trade paraphernalia and imported things confirm this fact.
Crafts and agriculture were also actively developing in the settlement. Oats, millet, peas and other crops were cultivated in the settlement. The presence of a large number of agricultural tools indicates a high degree of development of this industry. The development of animal husbandry is evidenced by the presence of numerous bones of sheep, horses and cows.
Jewelry
The inhabitants of the Zolotar settlement were very talented jewelers. importantA feature of jewelry was skillful copying of Bulgar jewelry. Local craftsmen melted the original expensive jewelry, added cheaper metals to it and cast it again. The number of fakes found indicates the mass production of such jewelry.
Numerous decorations of the Zolotarevsky settlement are presented in the museum of the village of Zolotarevka and in the local history museum of the city of Penza. The most valuable exhibit and symbol of the settlement is a gilded bronze plate with a relief image of a human face in a lion's mask. The overlay is a religious object, as lion symbolism is often found in the stylization of ancient Russian churches. In addition, the lion was a symbol of a noble family. This suggests that the overlay belonged to a noble person. This product is unique in its kind. Since 2007, the image of the overlay has appeared on the flag of the Penza region.
Elements of Askiz culture
It is considered unique to find objects of the Askiz culture on the territory of the settlement. Askiz - people living in Altai, the ancestors of modern Khakass. Of the Askiz items found, the equipment for the horse and the rider is the most common. For the most part, these are parts made of iron and bronze.
On the pads, buckles and decorations of the saddle, an ornamental pattern, characteristic of the Askiz culture, is clearly visible. However, it should be noted that in these objects, along with such an ornament, there are elements that are not typical for Askiz products. This fact en titlesto assert that the objects of the Askiz culture were not just brought to the Zolotarevsky settlement, but representatives of the Askiz people were present among the inhabitants of the fortress. They were part of a military cavalry detachment. It was from the Zolotarevsky settlement that the Askiz carried out military and peaceful contacts with Ancient Russia and Volga Bulgaria until the tenth century, when the settlement became part of Bulgaria.
Development of the settlement
Exhibits, models and photos in the museum of the Zolotarevsky settlement help to learn more about the development of the settlement. The system of fortifications and the presence of the fortified wall of the settlement speaks of specialist fortifiers. The pottery found during excavations testifies to the development of pottery. Modeled pottery of the second century is replaced by earthenware circular ware of the tenth century. The chronology also shows a change in the shape and color of the dishes.
Agriculture was one of the most important industries in the settlement. Developed agriculture is characterized by two features: a large number of agricultural implements and a variety of cultivated crops. Both of these signs are present in the description of the Zolotarevsky settlement.
Craftsmen made clothes and shoes, made weapons, jewelry and dishes. Accordingly, among the industrial sectors in the settlement, metal and woodworking, weaving, and pottery were developed. The finds found during the excavations of the Zolotarevskoye settlement make up an exposition in the local history museum of Penza and in the Zolotarevka museum.
Battle with the Mongols
Events leading tothe disappearance of the settlement date back to 1237. At this time, a battle with the Mongol troops took place on the territory of the settlement. The chronicle of Rashid ad-Din tells about this event, telling about the capture of the Volga Bulgaria.
It can be argued that the village was one of the largest battles with the Tatar-Mongols on the site of the settlement. This is evidenced by about two thousand unburied bodies and a huge number of arrowheads found during excavations. In addition, the scale of the battle is amazing. Traces of the battle were found far beyond the territory of the settlement and occupy a total area equal to one hundred and forty thousand square meters.
The outcome of the battle was as follows: the population of the settlement was completely destroyed, and the fortress was burned to the ground. When capturing territories, the Mongols used Greek fire and melted fat of the soldiers they killed. It can be assumed that it was in this way that the Zolotarevsky settlement was wiped off the face of the earth.
According to the history of the Tatar-Mongol conquests, the troops practically did not touch the settlements, which surrendered without a fight. It follows that the inhabitants of the Zolotarevsky settlement put up active resistance to the invaders. The presence of unburied bodies indicates that the fate of the fortress also befell the nearby settlements.
Tour
Today, the Zolotarevsky settlement is open to the public, despite ongoing excavations. You can get to the monument by following from Penza towards Zolotarevka. Before reaching the village, you need to turn left onto a country road, whichand lead to the city. A wooden flooring leads to the monument, and the remains of the settlement are connected through ravines by bridges. Items found on the territory of the ancient settlement can be studied in the Zolotarevka Museum and the Penza Museum of Local Lore.
Visitor reviews
In the reviews of visitors, the description of the Zolotarevsky settlement is invariably accompanied by delight. Acquaintance with the monument makes it possible to touch the ancient history and heritage of the ancestors. Tourists are especially interested in events held in the settlement.
One of these events is the festival called "Crossroads of Civilizations - Zolotarevskoye Settlement". During the festival, visitors are given a unique opportunity to travel back to the thirteenth century, get acquainted with the life of the fortress and see the reconstruction of the battle that ended the thousand-year history of the settlement.
