Древний город на восточном берегу Каспийского моря
An Ancient City on the Eastern Coast of Caspian Sea

Summary/Abstract: This article is devoted to preliminary studies of the Karakabak site. This is the only one urban-type settlement used as a trade and handicraft center in the Aral–Caspian region during 3rd—5th centuries AD on the northern branch of the Silk Road. Different types of ceramics (handbuilded and made with the help of a potter-wheel), metal objects and waste products of metal production, coins, glass personal ornaments, bones of birds, fishes and other animals were discovered during investigation of three homestead-type buildings and dumps. The results obtained allow us to clarify chronological boundaries of occupation and the status of the settlement, and to include the east coast of the Caspian Sea into the group of sites used to create connections between nomad populations from the Transvolga territory and the south Urals on the one hand and western regions of Middle Asia on the other. The way of land-planning, presence of streets, abundance of evidence corresponding to different types of activities, and presence of the strong construction (the wall 500 m long and the moat) indicate the urban status of Karakabak. Besides, the data concerning specificities of houses construction with use of stones and mudbricks was obtained for the first time.

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