Pages: 269-298

The article presents new results concerning the settlement system, the spatial distribution, and the hierarchy of settlements in Crimean Scythia and household occupation of its population. These findings were based on many well-known Late Scythian hillforts in the foothills of Crimea, and on interdisciplinary study of sites in one of the largest and most important regions of Crimean Scythia — the valleys of the Kacha and Alma Rivers in south-western Crimea, and more specifically, the Late Scythian settlement of Zajach’e, with its extensive and well-preserved rural area and arable fields. The authors made plausible assumptions about existence of a visual communication system between the Late Scythian forts. Fortresses were built in such places, that were well fortified by nature itself. They occupied a special niche in the landscape: usually in places protected by steep slopes or cuesta cliffs, which reduce the need for fortifications. Configuration of the fortification lines were dictated by the terrain. Usually there were built one or two lines of defensive walls, protecting easy approaches to the fort. Steep slopes of the hills served as a natural defense against enemies. Non fortified settlements were usually located in areas adjacent to the fortifications, but there were also villages without forts nearby. The main economic and daily life of the Late Scythians was in non-fortified settlements, and forts served mainly as refuges in time of danger.

Keywords: Crimean Scythia, Late Scythians, settlement system, hillforts, non-fortified settlemens, farm fields, satellite images, aerial photograps, magnetic survey.

Information about authors:

Tatiana Smekalova (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Saint Petersburg State University. Universitetskaya Emb., 7/9, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Alexsey Voloshinov (Bakhchysarai, Crimea). Institute of Crimean Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences. Yaltinskaya St., 2, Simferopol, 297800, Republic of Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]
Alexander Garipov (Yevpatoria, Crimea). Historical and Archaeological Museum-Reserve Kalos Limen. Revoliutsii St., 8, Chernomorskoe urban-type settlement, 296400, Republic of Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]