GENERAL INFORMATION
We are in search
of a group of volunteers who will assist in the excavations of Chastiye
Kurgany, an archaeological site composed of about thirty kurgans
(burial mounds) located between the Seversky Donets River (a tributary
of the Don River) and the Bystraya River. This will be the third
year of excavations at Chastiye Kurgany. During the 2000 season,
excavations of the first mound revealed a burial of a rare type
dated to the 5th-4th centuries B.C. Among the artifacts from this
burial were a bronze cauldron, a brazier, various arrowheads, and
pottery. Horse harness accoutrements in typical Scythian
Animal Style included cast-bronze heads and other images of
fantastic animals. However, it is not clear if the people buried
at this site were Scythians or Sauromatians.
During the 2001 season, excavations continued under
the direction of the Don Complex Archaeological Expedition, consisting
of two groups:international students and volunteers, headed by V.Klyutchnikov,
editor of "Donskaya Arkheologia" journal, and a Rostov state
university students, led by Prof.V.Maksimenko.
Six kurgans: 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 (see Map)
were excavated and thus provided informatin resolving more than
a questions including the fact that this area had been used as a
cemetery well over 1500 years. One mound was dated to the Scythian
period (4th century BC), three were Khazars (7-9th centuries), and,
two were Polovtsians (11-12th centuries).
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND
VOLUNTEER OPORTUNITIES
Included in the contribution is
the educational program that includes assisting in the excavations of
the kurgans and lectures on the ancient history of Don region. And most
exciting are three days of excursions: to the excavations and museum
of the antique city, Tanais located in the Don River delta; to the Rostov-na
Donu Historical Museum; and to Starocherkassk--an old capital of Don
Cossacks. Visits to areas of natural beauty will further enhance the
archaeological experiences.
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