V Scientific Workshop “International Archaeological and Natural Scientifi c Studies on Cultural Sites: Bolgar and Sviyazhsk”

Abstract

The authors present a brief summary and conclusions of the V Scientifi c Workshop focusing on interdisciplinary archaeological and natural scientifi c studies on the territory of Bolgar fortifi ed settlement and Sviyazhsk island-fort. Research on these sites is carried out under a complex project “Cultural Heritage: Sviyazhsk island-fort and Ancient Bolgar”. The studies are led by Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences and involve participation of other Russian academic institutions as well. The project includes archaeological excavations and collection of samples for palynological, palaeoecological, radio-carbon, dendrochronological and other laboratory investigations, which are used to reconstruct certain production technologies. It also includes anthropological study of necropolises. Use of geo-physical and aero-spatial methods is an integral part of the fi eld research, which allows localizing monumental stone structures and other geomagnetic anomalies without destroying them. The excavations both on Bolgar and Sviyazhsk and their closest environs, i.e. on other cultural sites, actively apply modern highprecision systems and methods of fi xation with application of positioning systems. Results of such complex studies have been subject of discussions during annual scientifi c workshops since 2011