Stratigraphy of Early Iron Age settlements Barsov Gorodok III/2-3

Ural State University started working in the Surgut Ob region in the early 1970s. Their work during this time allowed to create a cultural-chronological scheme of early historical developments in the region. Studies of multilayer stratified sites, like the settlements of Barsov Gorodok III/2-3, played an important role in this process. During their excavations, the remains of 9 buildings inside and 6 outside the defensive system were carefully studied. Stratigraphic observations and analysis of the ceramic pottery made it possible to distinguish three successive cultural types. All types of pots are characterized by decoration of only the upper part of the vessel, a belt of dimples or pearls under the rim, round or pointed bottom, and the presence of pallets. The earliest are the remains of dwelling 241. It was a large above-ground structure with two hearths, where fragments of pottery, crucibles and a bronze figurine were unearthed. Most of the ceramic pots have the shape of a cauldron. They are decorated with belts of vertical and inclined, rarely horizontal imprints of various stamps: in the form of a snakes, birds, combs, triangles and rhombuses. Such vessels are typical for the Beloyarskaya culture. The western wall of the dwelling was broken by a Barsov Gorodok Ш/2 settlement’s moat. This settlement was surrounded by a rampart together with an outer moat and had two exits. Five buildings were found within the rampart, as well as crucibles and fragments of 55 ceramic pots. Pottery types in the form of bowls prevail. Its patterns are applied with a smooth, sometimes comb stamp. Belts of horizontal imprints arranged in a checkerboard pattern and often confined between the belts of the same vertical or inclined imprints, give a very specific look to these patterns. Such pottery is typical to the Kalinkinskaya culture. This settlement was abandoned and after a while a new one, named Barsov Gorodok III/3, was built on the same place. It was half the size, and the ruins of the old fortification were used to build it from three sides. In three excavated buildings fragments of crucibles, drops of bronze and fragments of 32 ceramic pots were found. For the most part these pots have vertical or slightly bent outward neck. They are decorated with belts of differently inclined imprints of smooth, comb-like, and various figurative (including duck-like) stamps. This pottery is typical for the Kulai culture. Stratigraphy, that have been identified during excavations of Barsov Gorodok III/2-3 settlements made it possible to distinguish three chronological stages and cultural types of pottery, and subsequently three archaeological cultures of the Early Iron Age of Surgut Ob region: Beloyarskaya, Kalinkinskaya and Kulai cultures.

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