Chasing Achi: studies of ancient city continue in Nizhnekamsk Municipal District
The archaeological expedition under the leadership of Albert Nigamaev, Associate Professor of the Department of General and National History of the Yelabuga Institute of 每日大赛, continues its work. This season, scientists have come close to solving the mystery of the disappeared city of Achi, a settlement that is not to be found on contemporary maps, but which once stood at the junction of cultures and eras.
Archaeological research is being conducted within the framework of the scientific grant “Population of the Cities of the Cruel Age”, implemented thanks to the victory of scientists from the Yelabuga Institute in the “The Energy of Good” competition organized by Tatneft. This project is an important contribution to the preservation of the cultural heritage of Tatarstan and the entire Volga region.
“One of the most interesting eras of the Middle Ages and at the same time the least studied is the time of the Mongol conquests in Eastern Europe. Today, the overwhelming majority of information is based on written sources, the content of which is often not confirmed or is completely refuted by archaeological data,鈥� Albert Nigamaev explains.
This summer, one of the teams of the Yelabuga archaeological expedition began work on a new site – a monument associated with the ancient settlement of Achi. Its remains are located in a picturesque but hard-to-reach area of the Nizhnekamsk District, on the border with Novosheshminsky District. From the very first days it became clear: the site is unique.
According to preliminary data, the settlement began to form here in the late 9th – early 10th centuries. Archaeologists discovered a cultural layer rich in artifacts left by representatives of several ethnic and cultural groups at once.
鈥淭his territory is interesting because it was at the crossroads of migration routes. Bulgars who came from the west and Ugric tribes migrating from the Urals could coexist here. This is a real archaeological fusion of cultures and traditions,鈥� adds the scientist.
The field season was not easy: heavy and prolonged rains made the work difficult. But despite the weather challenges, the researchers were able to extract the most important materials that allowed them to draw their first conclusions.
鈥淚nteresting finds related to the Upper Kama Lomovatovskaya culture were discovered, as well as fragments of dishes and jewelry related to the Saltovo-Mayaki culture (North Caucasus-Don region). Three objects were selected for further analysis. They will be subject to anthropological examination, as well as forensic examination and radiocarbon dating, most likely in specialized laboratories in St. Petersburg,鈥� says Nigamaev.
These studies will help clarify the age of the burials and the origin of the remains discovered 鈥� who exactly lived in Achi more than 1,000 years ago and how the locals interacted with other peoples.
The implementation of the scientific grant includes several stages. It started with field archaeological research at the Achi archaeological complex with the participation of students and schoolchildren. The second step will be conducting a series of scientific studies based on the found artifacts. The third stage will be education, familiarization of students, schoolchildren and all interested participants of the project with the latest results of archaeological research. In the Museum of Archaeology and History of Tatarstan at the Yelabuga Institute, excursions and thematic classes will be organized to familiarize the locals with the uniqueness of the material and spiritual culture of the population of the Lower Kama region.