DAGESTAN - LAND OF MOUNTAINS AND MYSTERIES
Marina ANDREEVA
The pearl of Russia.... Since ancient times, people have called the Caucasus so. From time immemorial, it has attracted countless travelers, artists, poets and writers. How many the most beautiful legends came to us from these places, how many worthy people glorified not only their family, but also Russia as a whole ...
However, today, speaking about the region, we most often use negative vocabulary and operate with such expressions as “persons of Caucasian nationality”, “national people”. There are also slogans such as "Russia for Russians" and "Russians get out" from both sides. Separation, mutual rejection, the desire to do something to spite each other, to provoke an illegal action... Some people get mad when the driver suddenly turns on national music in a minibus. Others, on a working day and on the roadway, suddenly decide to dance a lezginka for the sake of boredom. What happened to us?
The answer is simple. It was behind this useless bravado that we, having achieved nothing, lost respect for each other. Taking provocations for authentic culture and traditions, equalizing all Caucasians and Russians with the same brush, we have nurtured interethnic hatred. And don't say it doesn't exist. Still no one will believe.
And even now we need not to convince each other of the opposite, but to change the situation radically, telling what the Caucasus really is. That is why we are opening a new column in our newspaper, Kavkaz.RF, where we will talk about the true traditions of the region, the people living here.
Let's start with Dagestan. Land of mountains and mysteries. Mysterious land, which since ancient times was famous for its hospitality, richness of customs, peaceful beauty of picturesque mountain scenery.
ECONOMY OF DAGESTAN
Now Dagestan is the southernmost region of Russia, located on the spurs of the ridges North Caucasus. In the west, Dagestan borders on Chechen Republic, in the northwest - with Stavropol Territory, in the north - with the Republic of Kalmykia, in the south - with Azerbaijan, in the south-west - with Georgia. The total area is more than 50 thousand sq. km. The highest point of Dagestan is Mount Bazarduzi, which has a mark of 4466 meters. The largest rivers are Terek, Sulak and Samur. The administrative center of the republic is the city of Makhachkala.
Favorable geopolitical position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia makes Dagestan a strategically important transport hub for Russia. Since ancient times, major trade routes connecting the East with the West have been laid here. In the Middle Ages, the legendary trade route, the Great Silk Road, passed through Dagestan. Now the most important railway, automobile, air, sea and pipeline routes of federal significance run through the territory of the republic.
For example, the Makhachkala Commercial Sea Port, the only Russian ice-free port on the Caspian Sea, provides Russia with a direct access to international trade routes through the Caspian Sea and is one of the key transport infrastructure facilities in the North Caucasus.
However, despite all the advantages of its location, the food industry, electric power industry, oil production and mechanical engineering are of priority importance for the industry of Dagestan.
Plant growing is also developing in Dagestan. Winemaking is one of the traditional sectors of the republic's economy. A third of Russia's gross grape production falls on Dagestan, where more than 90 percent of cognac products are produced Russian Federation. State Unitary Enterprise "Kizlyar Cognac Factory", OJSC "Derbent Cognac Factory"... Probably, I will not be mistaken if I say that all lovers of the "drink of the gods" are familiar with these names. Noble Dagestan cognac is appreciated at its true worth international exhibitions and fairs and is the basis of the Kremlin alcohol fund.
The republic is also famous for its decorative and applied products. Here are the centers applied arts like Kubachi ( jewelry, decorated with niello, engraving, enamel), Gotsatl (copper chasing, jewelry), Balkhar (painted ceramics), Untsukul (wooden products with silver notch, bone inlay, mother-of-pearl). The most common type of handicraft is carpet weaving. The secrets of the craftsmanship of carpet weavers are passed down from generation to generation. Dagestan carpets can be found in the museums of New York, Paris, Montreal, Milan, Tokyo. They cost from $150 to $700 per sq.m.
SIGHTS OF THE REGION
But still, the main wealth of Dagestan lies not in material goods and opening prospects, but in its history, in the unique and original culture and art of peoples. modern civilization adjacent to unique monuments ancient times, stone fortresses, functioning mosques, minarets and towers.
Do you know, reader, that one of the oldest cities in Russia is located here - Derbent, whose history goes back 5000 years. Founded in the 4th millennium BC, Derbent was an important center of civilization, a meeting point for roads from the south, north, west and east, one of largest cities on the Great Silk Road. The architectural ensemble of Derbent is impressive; it is impossible to describe all its monuments. Already Peter I drew attention to their value and ordered the first descriptions of especially significant objects of the city to be compiled. Of particular note is the Naryn-Kala fortress, whose age today exceeds 2 thousand years, and the walls have been preserved almost completely. The famous citadel is recognized by UNESCO as a monument of world importance.
Other beautiful place in the republic - Gunib mountains. In terms of climatic conditions, it is not inferior to the Swiss Davos and surpasses Teberda. And at the foot of the Kumtorkalinsky ridge there is a real miracle of nature - the largest sand dune in Europe, Sary-Kum. About 300 species of plants, including rare ones, live here. Despite the fact that the sand of Sary-Kum is valuable and easily accessible construction material, people were able to save this reserved corner of the Caucasus from destruction.
Addala-Shuhgelmeer is the third highest peak in Dagestan, having a height of 4151 m and covered with glaciers. It seems that the top of the mountain pulls six ridges towards itself, so from a bird's eye view, the entire array resembles a star. Even on the territory of Southern Dagestan there is a unique complex representing big interest for climbers of all ranks. These are mountain peaks: Shalbuzdag (4149 m), Bazarduzi (4466 m) and Yarydag (4100 m), where Russian mountaineering championships are held.
How many famous and talented people gave Russia and the world Dagestan! Among them are the poet Rasul Gamzatov, who told the world in his works about the Land of Mountains and its people, and the Hero Soviet Union, submariner Magomed Gadzhiev, five-time world champion in freestyle wrestling Ali Aliyev, the first Dagestani to be awarded the title of Hero of Russia, Magomed Tolboev, artist Khalilbek Musayasul, who was awarded many prizes and awards during his lifetime, whose marble cast of the hand is stored in the Metropolitan Museum in New York and many others.
POPULATION AND TRADITIONS
Dagestan is a unique constellation of peoples: Avars, Aguls, Azerbaijanis, Dargins, Kumyks, Laks, Lezgins, Nogais, Russians, Chechens-Akkins, etc. There is no other place in the world where more than a hundred nationalities would live in such a small area! It is no coincidence that even in ancient times the region was called not only the "country of mountains", but also the "mountain of languages". Three religions are traditional for the country: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
As for everyday life, here it is surrounded by centuries-old traditions and customs, some of which are still relevant today. For example, hospitality. Perhaps this is one of distinguishing features Dagestanis. A well-known proverb here says: “May such a day not come that a guest does not come to the house!” Therefore, since ancient times, the peoples had such a custom: when they sat down to have lunch or dinner, the food was divided equally between family members and an extra portion was separated in case a belated guest suddenly came. The guest should not need anything - this is the unwritten law of the highlanders.
What dishes are national for the Land of Mountains? For example, in every national region they prepare khinkal, which is served as a first or second course. Common dishes are "kurze", "chudu", which are prepared from various herbs, cottage cheese, vegetables, eggs.
Another obligatory rule, by which people not only live, but also try to educate the younger generation, is to always be honest and truthful. folk wisdom teaches: the first dignity of a person is intelligence, the second is friendship, the third is conscience, the fourth is good education, the fifth is happiness. Dagestan sages consider a person's birthday to be the day when he performed the first good deed in his life. The highlander swears: "I was born a man - I will die a man!"
In the village of Khodot there is a spring with amazing cold water. There are always a lot of jugs, buckets, cans around him. The dishes are not guarded day or night, and no one will ever encroach on the wealth of the housewives.
Meanwhile, a good and proper upbringing is possible only in a full-fledged family. The Dagestan family rests on the good traditions of humanity. The most important of them is the respect of parents. Children should always be attentive to their parents. For example, the father comes home from work, the son takes the load from his hands, brings water, pours water on his hands, gives soap, a towel. At the table, it is customary to serve tea and food first to the grandfather, then to the father, then to the rest in seniority.
With parents and old-timers, you can’t keep your hands in your pockets, stand half-bent, you can’t scratch your head, nose, ear, smoke, chew, drink alcohol, prop your cheek or forehead with your hand. It is not customary for a son to sit down in front of his father without an invitation, you cannot speak loudly and laugh. Children answer questions modestly, briefly, respectfully. Only if these rules are observed, children in Dagestan are considered educated.
OH, THIS WEDDING, WEDDING...
However, the most interesting in Dagestan are wedding ceremonies! And although the ceremony itself is not much different from the European one - the same trip to the registry office, a feast, songs and dances - the pre-wedding rituals can be very surprising.
For example, in some villages of Dagestan, during the engagement period, the groom's relatives can arrange a "holiday of women." They come to the bride's house with suitcases full of gifts. Mostly jewelry and dresses. The bride and her bridesmaids have the opportunity to try on many different outfits without any shops.
Many girls, observing the tribute to traditions and honoring their elders, marry in a national costume. True, a wedding dress is usually worn at a certain stage. wedding ceremony, the same dance of the bride or for ransom. For example, today, like two hundred years ago, 5 headscarves are thrown over the Gunib bride. The first is filmed at the parents' house when it is handed over to the groom. The second scarf is removed at the entrance to the groom's house, the third scarf - in the groom's house. The fourth handkerchief is taken off by the girlfriends to show the bride to the groom and relatives. The groom takes off the fifth handkerchief. For each removed handkerchief, it is customary to give a ransom. When the ritual is over, the newlywed can put on the now traditional European costume - with a white veil and a fluffy white dress.
Meanwhile, it is generally accepted that Dagestanis are reluctant to marry people who are not of their own nationality. This is not entirely true. Today, about 20 percent of families are marriages between people of different nationalities. As for creating a family with Russian people, about 85 percent of marriages of this kind are families in which the husband is Dagestan and the wife is Russian. Dagestan women marry Russian men much less often: such marriages make up only 15 percent of all marriages with Russians.
But, if you plan to connect your life with a representative of the Dagestan people, you need to consider the following. Firstly, the groom's relatives may not be quite ready for an interethnic marriage. In Dagestan, marriages between equals are considered the strongest, and so far many of the relationships are arranged by parents. So a marriage between a Russian woman and a Dagestani can ruin their plans. And although in last years morals have become freer, it is important to take into account this feature and not be nervous if the parents at first try to arrange the marriage of their son with the bride that they themselves like. If they see that this is impossible, most likely they will not interfere with the choice of their son.
Secondly, there is one more unpleasant nuance ... If your chosen one is younger son in the family, it is possible that you will have to wait a long time for the wedding. Relations between family members in Dagestan are built on respect for elders. And if your fiancé's older brothers are not yet married, then his family may ask you to wait until they arrange their lives.
BLOOD REVENGE...
Perhaps, only the lazy one does not know about this tradition of the Dagestanis. However, today it is no longer so relevant, and people are trying to solve all problems by legal methods. The bloodshed can be stopped if the killer repents and experienced negotiators are found. The act of reconciliation itself looks like this: on the appointed day, relatives from the guilty party in mourning go to the house of the relatives of the murdered. The culprit, who let go of his beard as a sign of sorrow and regret for his deed, hides under a cloak. The meeting of the parties begins with the reading of prayers. If the apology is accepted and the blood lover is forgiven, then the next of kin of the slain must shave the face and head of the culprit. This is a symbol of forgiveness for him. After all, peace is better than war. If people forgive each other, then God will forgive them. After forgiveness, the culprit is obliged to help the family of the murdered in the future.
Here they are, our closest neighbors. Proud and steadfast, loyal and fearless, hospitable and hardworking. Heirs of a unique centuries-old culture, who have always been an example of courage, honor and valor. And, given this factor, is it so scary and unbearable to live next to each other?
Julia Alexandrova
Scenario folklore holiday"Dagestan is my epic" in preparatory group
Goals: develop cognitive activity children, to consolidate the idea of children about the arts and crafts of peoples Dagestan.
Members: children of senior preschool age.
Decor: panel depicting a village against the backdrop of a mountain landscape. In the center scenes reconstruction of a mountain sakli using household items highlanders: dishes, carpets, furniture, etc. Drawings depicting heroes from Dagestan folk tales.
preliminary work: Looking at the map Dagestan - country of mountains. Conversations about people different nationalities inhabiting Dagestan, about arts and crafts, learning small forms folklore of the peoples of Dagestan. Excursions in Dagestan museum fine arts,V Dagestan state local history museum. Reading works Dagestan poets. Yusupova, R. Gamzatova, R. Rashidova and others. Drawing, modeling according to the idea of children based on Dagestan fairy tales, according to impressions about what he saw during excursions in museums.
Holiday progress:
presenter: Good afternoon, dear children! We recently visited Dagestan museum of fine arts and Dagestan State Museum of History and Architecture. We visited the master of decorative metal processing. We learned a lot of new and interesting things about Dagestan, about everyday culture different peoples about household items national costumes, various decorations used and worn by our ancestors. We admired the work the best craftsmen decorative and applied arts. We got acquainted with the works of artists, which reflected historical events that took place in Dagestan in the distant past. Everything that we saw, what the guides told us about, is ours. tangible heritage left to us by our ancestors. Today we will continue our acquaintance with the traditions Dagestan, but already with his spiritual heritage.
Our national poet Rasul Gamzatov called Dagestan epic. Therefore, today's festive we found the event - « Dagestan is our epic» .
Fairy tales, tales, sayings, nursery rhymes, riddles, proverbs and sayings were composed by peoples Dagestan for centuries. They have human wisdom, they have love for children, for their land, for its people.
Guys, let's remember the nursery rhymes, lullabies, incantations, jokes that your mothers and grandmothers read and sang to you
First child.
The first rain of spring
Hare, deer!
The sun is shining,
The downpour is pouring
The fox in the forest is calling the fox. Crow! (tabas.).
Second child:
Leisya, rain in the forest -
I'll give you a sheep!
If you flow like a river
I'll give you a bull! (emergency).
third child:
Kitty is smart
Looking out the window:
Sleepy street, Damp, dark.
Kisonka - good girl Give us answer:
The sun will peep through today or not? (lez.).
fourth child:
(The girl performs lullaby, rocking the bassinet);
The moon floats across the sky, sings a song to the falcon,
Eli-lay, lay-lay, lay-lay,
Sleep, my falcon, sleep!
Sleep sweet dreams
Wait until spring
Eli-lay, lay-lay, lay-lay,
Sleep, my falcon, sleep!
My son is growing up
Blooms like a flower
Eli-lay, lay-lay, lay-lay,
Sleep, my falcon, sleep! (darg.).
presenter: Guys, and now I want to surprise you with ingenious riddles. They are famous for the peoples of the mountain Dagestan. Try to guess them.
Puzzles:
Not a needle, but I will prick,
Not fire, let me burn! (emergency) (Nettle)
Until the morning they looked at the ceiling,
In the morning they went over the threshold (varnish.) (Shoes)
I swam and splashed, but remained dry (cum.) (Goose)
What kind of monster creeps, the sun steals light? (lez.) (Cloud)
living whip
Shines like copper (lez.) (Snake)
Look, the blue pond.
white geese swim (tab.) (Clouds)
The white stone rolls
And if you drop it, it breaks (cum. (Egg)
It was long, long
But I couldn't reach the roof. (Road)
Went down to the river lightly,
And it became heavy - I went home (emergency).(Jug)
The bridge will build in height,
He walks over the bridge (varnish) (Spider)
presenter: It's time to sing and play. I invite you to take part in the game - singing "Zuleikha".
(Singing game is performed "Zuleikha" to Kumyk folk words, edited by 3. Kabydova).
presenter: Everyone has it Dagestan people original games passing from generation to generation. And today we will play some of them.
"Pick up the handkerchief".
Players stand in a circle, in the center of which they put a headscarf. The national melody sounds and everyone dances Dagestan lezginka. With the end of the music, each participant in the game tries to be the first to pick up the handkerchief,
Rules of the game. You can’t reach for a scarf and leave the circle before the music stops playing.
The next game is called "Put on a hat"
The jigit boy sits on a chair. The driver is taken eight to ten steps away from him and turned to face the horseman so that the driver can find out where he is sitting. The driver is blindfolded, turned around, given a hat in his hand, He must do a certain amount of steps and put a hat on the head of a horseman. The rest of the participants in the game count the steps of the driver aloud and cheer for him. When the game is repeated, other children are assigned to the role of the driver and the horseman.
Rules of the game: The driver should not peep; the players should not help the driver and prompt.
presenter: What good fellows, guys! How much do you know interesting games! And now I will remind you of wise folk sayings, and you explain their meaning.
Grabbed the rudders on two boats - you will fall into the water. (darg.)
A good deed never fails
And the crappy - there is no victory, (emergency)
Who is friends with a deer, he
How noble the deer will be, (lez.)
Lies have a short tail (Lezg., Avar., Darg.)
presenter: Dagestanis very friendly, hospitable people. Friendship Dagestanis are fastened with good, care, ability to live with a neighbor.
dramatization about friendship and hospitality
1 child - Assalam - halleikum, neighbor!
2 child - Assalam - aleykum!
1 child - Does the neighbor heat the stove?
2 child - He's drowning, neighbor!
1 child - It can be seen that dinner is being cooked?
2 child - Dinner is being cooked!
1 child - I feel, is the porridge being cooked?
2 child - How, porridge is cooked!
1 child - Porridge than refuel?
2 child - Oil will refuel! Come in, neighbor, sit down, treat yourself to our porridge!
Finally staged children dancing"Lezginka"
presenter: Guys, I have a magic chest in my hands. It contains unusual letters and telegrams - riddles. These letters and telegrams - riddles were sent by children from mountain regions Dagestan. You have to guess from which works these passages are. Who will start first? Let's choose the first one with rhymes:
The lamb danced on the ice
Lamb's horns lost
Walked past the old cunning wolf
He clicks the lamb with his teeth. (emergency).
A child comes out, takes out an envelope, hands it to the leader.
presenter: This letter came from the mountain village of Akusha from a girl named Patimat.
Patimat asks:
Early morning gray wolf
Met a kid
And a goat gray wolf
asks loudly:
Answer me, gray goat,
Answer me, little goat.
What's on your feet?
Socks down-in-in-out.
What work is this from?
Answer: N. Yusupov « Gray wolf and three gray goats"
(the next child is selected using a counting rhyme)
Rhythm:
I'm with you - two of us,
Heifer under the mountain - three,
Here the donkey wanders wearily -
One, two, three, four.
There cow-five or six?
Need to read it again! (emergency)
presenter: This letter came from the Akhtyn region. A girl named Fatima is writing to us. Listen to her exercise:
Early in the morning the dove flew to the hillock.
He sees a whole miracle - small, white.
A sprout looks out of the ground - he asks for a sip of water;
Dove, dove, no water
Your work will be lost.
Answer: N. Yusupov "The Pigeon and the Grain of Wheat".
The next child is selected using a new rhyme.
Rhythm:
Oh-pa, oh-pa
Never catch up with us
We are faster than a goat
camel, donkey, (lez.)
The child takes out an envelope "magic chest", hands it to the leader.
presenter: (reads telegram)“Everyone! Everyone! Everyone! Amazing tail for sale. Come fly! Swim! Run! Choose what you want!".
Answer: N. Yusupov "Why does the frog have no tail".
The next child is selected using the Tabasaran rhyme.
Rhythm:
I unwound the ball
Tied a knot
Tied two knots
I wove three carpets.
Red, blue, blue - choose any!
The child takes out the next envelope from "Magic chest", hands it to the leader.
Leading (reads letter): And this letter came to us from the village of Gunib. A boy named Magomedgadzhi is writing to us. Listen carefully and try to guess.
One day a Balkharian is a potter.
Carried goods for sale
He went with the goods everywhere,
But people didn't take the dishes.
Rich - give silver -
Why are they good from clay?
Poor people would buy
But what should they keep in that bowl ..
Answer: R. Rashidov "Smart Balharets",
presenter: AND last letter came to us from the village of Khuchni, Tabasaran region, from a boy named Ramazan. The child is selected using the following counting rhymes:
Ebel-bebel, China, zara,
We walked around the market
Bought two clubs.
Tested without a hitch.
Why does it ripple in the eye?
ebel, bebel,
The eye is broken (with tsakhur.)
The moderator reads the letter:
Once upon a time there lived in one village a woman named Khala - Ava. Evil - evil. She did not love anyone, she only offended and scolded everyone. Neighbors were even afraid to go into her yard. Once she was gathering nuts in her garden. Answer: "Hala - Ava and cockerel".
Leading: Well done boys! Do you know the works well?
Dagestan writers and oral folk art peoples Dagestan.
Dagestan is a country of mountains. Auls are molded on the slopes of the mountains. In each of them, courage and honor were considered the measure of human dignity. Each aul Dagestan something so glorious!
For example, the village of Balkhar is famous for pottery.
First child:
The most beautiful jugs are made of ordinary clay,
Just like a beautiful verse Created from simple words.
The child demonstrates the works of the masters of the Balkhar village.
Leading: Aul Kubachi is famous for its skillful engraving on gold and silver.
Second child:
The secret of Kubachi art
Do not look for silver in threads,
They carry the secret of this art In the heart of the Kubachins are masters.
The child demonstrates the products of Kubachi masters.
Leading: Aul Untsukul is famous for the skill of carving and carving.
third child:
Although the pattern is cheerful on it,
Those who are with her have a sad look.
(The child demonstrates the products of the Untsukul masters).
Leading: Aul Tsumada is famous for making cloaks from white and black sheep's wool. Fourth child:
Even though it is black, it does not give warmth to those people
Whose soul is black, not white.
Leading: Dagestanis are very cheerful people. They love a well-aimed word, laughter, humor, but most of all they value friendship. Friendship between nations is the most precious and great wealth Dagestan. It has been built and held for centuries on a solid foundation. And we must cherish this wealth if we want peace and prosperity in our region.
The song sounds "Come to Dagestan» . Music and lyrics by K. Kasumov.
Child (addressing everyone in the room):
Let's be friends with each other!
Like a bird with the sky, like a wind with a meadow,
Like a sail with the sea, grass with rain,
How friendly the sky is with all of us!
Composition sounds « Dagestan» performed by D. Gamzatova. Children and adults launch balloons.
Leading:
Let the paths and paths never end
May the smiles, laughter and humor continue!
Because joy and fun do not say goodbye to us. Let good people meet on the way!
See you soon!
In our country there are many official holidays and days dedicated to a particular profession.
Dibir-Ali Khazamov at the excavations of Kentoaf
Every year on August 15, archaeologists around the world celebrate their professional holiday. On this day, archaeologists who are in the field, at the excavations, especially like to receive guests, jokingly calling this day “Kurban Bayram” - “the holiday of the mound”. One of these expeditions is working today in the Karabudakhkent region, on the territory of the future largest cement plant in Dagestan.
Cement factory
The investment project for the construction of a plant in the vicinity of Karabudakhkent for the production of cement using modern German technology was developed several years ago. Dagestan is the leader in Russia in terms of residential construction, and its own Dagestan cement, of course, will replace supplies from other regions of Russia and neighboring countries.
The territory of the plant, on the one hand, is not so close to the necessary communications. Electricity, gas and water still need to be brought here 20 km away. On the other hand, the plant will be located practically on a clay deposit with the best performance for the production of cement. The construction site is a huge field surrounded by hills and small mountains, which also contain the materials necessary for production. In addition, the plant will be built in the central part of the plains of Dagestan, the export of products - to Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, Izberbash, Derbent, regions of Dagestan, from where large expenses will not be required.
Before starting a large construction, according to Russian laws, ecological and archaeological expertise of the area is required. If there is a possibility of finding cultural monuments in this territory, it should be examined by archaeologists, all monuments should be excavated and investigated. Unfortunately, government funding archaeological sites decreased utterly, and only such large investment projects how a new cement plant can become the basis for archaeological excavations and new discoveries.
It is in this way that an expedition led by an archaeologist, a candidate historical sciences Rabadan Magomedov discovered the settlement of Ortokolo in the flood zone of the Gotsatlin hydroelectric power station. Expedition of Rabadan Magomedov with the participation of Vladimir Erlikh, Doctor of Historical Sciences, representing the Maikop branch State Museum East, began surveying the territory of the future cement plant.
Mounds in the steppe
In order to guess that ancient burial places may be located on the territory of the vast steppe, in order to find the alleged places of these burial places, to unmistakably identify ancient burial mounds, you probably need to be a magician or a seer. To the common man I don’t understand why this particular area, where the earth is a little darker or, conversely, a little lighter than the earth around, contains many mysteries underneath, and a small elevation that is nearby, resembling a man-made hill, is a natural formation. Apparently, only a specialist of such a level and having such experience as Rabadan Magomedov can find burial places in the endless steppe by signs known to him alone.
When examining the territory of the projected cement plant, a burial mound consisting of several burial mounds was discovered. The main barrow is 3.5 meters high and 30 meters in diameter. A barrow of this size was not built in one go. “Initially, one grave was installed, then a hill was poured, the core of the hill is visible on the cut, then more than 10 burials added to the burial ground,” said Rabadan Magomedov. “In addition, a stone ring of large boulders densely arranged next to each other limits the burial site with the letter C on the sides.” It is interesting that the stone ring is not closed, it is open towards the north. On the northern side of the barrow, no stones were laid. It is possible that this mound framing structure has sacred meaning, this may be an image of the sun, some stones depict an offshoot from the main semicircle of stones, like cilia or prominences in the sun.
Big Mound Mystery
The most mysterious thing about this mound is that there are no actual burials in the ten burials found here. That is, there are empty stone graves without people buried there. In each grave, the researchers found two vessels, one large jug and a small scoop. Some were looted - the archaeologist Dibir-Adi Khazamov was able to determine the size of the vessels in it only by the traces at the bottom of the grave. And the fragments of these vessels themselves remained in the thickness of the barrow. Apparently, the vessels were broken by unfortunate robbers who expected to find untold riches here.
In the history of Dagestan, and indeed of the entire North Caucasus, this is the first case of such a "burial" - without buried people. Only two animal skeletons have been found. The analysis showed that these were foxes that somehow got into the burial ground, but failed to get out of it.
Vladimir Erlikh and Rabadan Magomedov put forward several versions of the reasons for the appearance of such a "burial ground". Perhaps this is not a burial mound itself, but a kind of memorial site for people who died in a foreign land, or went missing somewhere. The second version: the mound was used for some ritual or calendar holidays- the day of the vernal equinox, for example, and jugs and scoops - for ritual libations. The third version: the real burial is located somewhere nearby, and this mound was poured to divert the eyes of potential robbers.
Indeed, there have been many grave robbers since ancient times. On the side section of the barrow, by the density and color of the earth, it is clearly seen that once a hole was dug in its center to the central burial ground. And the slab itself, covering the main, central “grave” of the mound, was broken into several large fragments. In the large cenotaph - the central "burial" - everything was covered with massive slabs and smeared with clay, even air did not penetrate there. The robbers clearly identified the center and knew where the central grave was located, and penetrated into it, breaking the top slab. They pulled out the vessels that were in the "grave", archaeologists discovered these shards in the thickness of the earth. Not all fragments of the vessel have been found, but what has been reconstructed makes it clear the size and appearance of the vessels.
Middle bronze
According to archaeologists, the age of the mound is 3.5-4.2 thousand years. It belongs to the so-called Middle Bronze Age. Archaeologists judge this on the basis of the collected artifacts - clay jugs and shards, which are typical for that time. More precisely, the age of the mound will help to establish the radiocarbon analysis of the remains of foxes found in the thickness of the mound.
“The time of the Middle Bronze Age - the time of paganism, before the appearance of all monotheistic religions - there was neither Islam, nor Christianity, nor Judaism, in those years there was no Zoroastrianism, - said Vladimir Erlikh. - It was the time of the pyramids. The time when megalithic structures were created. Truly cyclopean structures were built from large stones. Of course, what we see is far from Stonehenge, but it takes a lot of effort and effort to build such a large mound. a large number of of people".
Indeed, the steppe stretches around the mound, where there are no rocks, no stones that were used to lay the edge of the mound. There are no big or small stones here at all. Means, locals brought stones on their carts from afar.
The very procedure of excavations - the opening of the mound - is quite complicated and requires a lot of methodical, painstaking work. Stripping equipment is brought in, then primary processing is done by local workers involved, and, finally, the most delicate work is done by archaeologists. It should be noted that all the work, each stage of it, is recorded by archaeologists with video recordings, photographs, each cut is recorded by the artist, and the location of each artifact found is recorded with the help of a level. Everything found is put on the plan. Reports on the expedition are received not only by customers - the builders of the plant, but also by the Academy of Sciences of Russia and the Ministry of Culture.
After the next fixation of the state of the burial ground, excavations continue. The stones with which the burial ground is strewn are disassembled, only the stones of the fence remain, and the documentary fixation of the excavations made is repeated.
At the bottom of the mound, archaeologists discovered a ravine filled with humus soil, this is, in fact, the trace of an ancient stream. The bottom layer of earth is called buried earth. And if this layer is broken, its color and texture are changed, it means that there is something to look for in this place.
In addition, a bonfire was found in the central part of the mound - traces of ash are visible. Coal can be used to determine the age of the burial ground using radiocarbon dating. Radiocarbon analysis can show, with an accuracy of 60 years, when the tree burned in this fire was cut down.
As Rabadan Magomedov said, “ceramic fragments were found in the thickness of the mound, which are 2,000 years younger than the mound itself. These are shards of very beautiful red-engobed jugs. Unfortunately, this method of engobing, covering an earthenware vessel with a thin layer of the purest clay of a different color, has been lost. This pottery from the beginning of our era is very reminiscent of antique black-glazed and red-glazed pottery.”
Other burial mounds
The second mound is located almost a kilometer from the first, and by now only a few stones on the surface of the earth and an elevation almost invisible to the eye have survived from it. In a small mound, archaeologists discovered the grave of a child. According to the remains of the skeleton, it can be seen that a child of 10 years old was buried in the fetal position on its side, and at its head there was a small jug, which was once crushed by the thickness of the earth. The third mound did not bring archaeologists anything. And this, unfortunately, happens too ...
According to the findings of the expedition of the Dagestan Archaeological Service led by Rabadan Magomedov, nomads lived in this steppe. The results of soil tests taken from several pits dug in the search area indicate a small cultural layer. In the spring, nomads brought cattle here, set up their mobile wagons, and stopped at the banks of the river, which in ancient times flowed through this steppe. There was no permanent city or settlement, as evidenced by a small number of potsherds and other traces of a person from the Middle Bronze Age.
The excavations of the three burial mounds will be completed by the end of this hot summer. The result of these excavations will be, according to Rabadan Magomedov, 3d models of the found mounds. A few more mounds are outside the future construction site. Who knows what other finds and discoveries are waiting for researchers... After all, it often happens with archaeologists that the most interesting and unexpected is discovered at the last hour.
Many legends, tales and amazing finds are connected with the Caucasus, over which the most venerable archaeologists and historians puzzle over.
noah's ark
This is probably the most old riddle Caucasus, because according to the Bible, Noah moored to Mount Ararat, when the water Flood started to subside. And it turns out that all people are descended from the first inhabitants of Ararat. Many archaeologists dreamed of exploring the mountain, but back in 1974, the Turkish authorities forbade exploring the slope on which lies ancient ship. According to the testimony of the Armenian Georgy Khagopyan, the ark, made of strong gopher wood, is still on the mountain. Allegedly in 1905, George, being an eight-year-old child, found the ark together with his grandfather and even went inside it. In 1939, the American magazine New Eden published the memoirs of Russian pilot Vladimir Roskovitsky, who saw the Ark from an airplane in 1916. Moreover, allegedly the Russian tsar even sent an expedition to Ararat, which visited the ark, but all its results and photographs were burned in the fire of the revolution. The Chinese were the last to see Noah's ark: allegedly in 2009 they climbed the mountain, found the ark in the ice, visited it and even took samples that showed that the wood was 4800 years old.
Scientists believe the video and photographs of the Chinese are fake. But even if this is so, the ark must still be somewhere there, on top of the forbidden Ararat.
Colchis
In the West Caucasus mountains, on the territory of Abkhazia, Georgia and Turkey, there was a beautiful kingdom of Colchis, inhabited by the Colchians. In these parts stood the legendary city of Dioscurias and there was a huge city of barbarians, in which the mythical Medea was born. It was here that the head of the Argonauts Jason came for the Golden Fleece. This Greek myths they chained the titan Prometheus to the great Kazbek in the "mountains of Scythia" and it is his "blood that oozes onto the rocks of the Caucasus." An Abkhazian legend says: “At the very top of Elbrus, a terrible abyss is open, from which lamentations are heard - a giant is chained there. The giant's beard is down to his feet, his whole body is overgrown with gray hair, and there is a heavy chain on his arms and legs.
Great Abkhaz wall
In the Caucasus there is a grandiose Kelasuri wall. Its length is 160 kilometers. The wall is ancient, partly in ruins, but it can still be seen on the territory of Abkhazia. There are about three hundred towers up to 12 meters high on the wall. From whom or from what the peoples who built the wall defended themselves is unclear. Some believe that the wall was built in the 17th century by the Prince of Megrelia Levan II Dadiani to protect against the Abkhazians, others believe that the Greeks erected it in ancient times, defending themselves from local peoples, others believe that the wall was erected by the Byzantines to protect against the Mingrelians (Georgians).
Dolmens
The Caucasian dolmens are probably the most mystical mystery of the Caucasus Mountains. No other artifacts cause such a flurry of conjectures and assumptions as these megaliths. Officially, these are tombs. For example, not far from the village of Shepsi, a dolmen was found, in which there was a round ball and the remains of a man buried a thousand years before Pharaoh Cheops lived.
Usually dolmens date back to 3-2 centuries BC. You can meet them in the mountains Krasnodar Territory, in Adygea, near Ochamchira in Abkhazia and in the valley of the Laba River. More than 3,000 dolmens have been found, but no more than 6% of the structures have been studied. It is believed that the culture of domains came from the territory of ancient Spain or even North Africa. Dolmens in the Caucasus are different - some are made of huge stone slabs, others are hollowed out in the rock. Some even have their own names: Khan, Tenderness, Thor.
Fountain of youth
This legend appeared in the Caucasus not by chance, because it is here that there are so many healing springs. The legend tells that somewhere far away in the mountains there is a source of eternal youth. Many heroes searched for her, but if they did not find her, they did not say. And many simply did not return - after all, with water that gives youth, it is so easy to overdo it. He drank too much - and became a baby who will not tell anyone anything.
The Mystery of El-Tyubu
“City of the Dead” is the name of the cemetery near the village of El-Tubyu in the Chegem Gorge of Kabardino-Balkaria. And this place is also called "The Nest eternal youth". Ground crypts are like small houses. It is generally accepted that they began to build around the XIII century. There are many legends associated with the cemetery. One says that during the excavations, the remains of two giants guarding the valley were found here (the height of men was a little more than two meters, which was rare in ancient times). The question remains - who did they protect?
Legends say that the village itself is famous for its centenarians, and this is allegedly due to the fact that it stands on top of a huge hidden pyramid.
Towers of Svaneti
Another mystery of the Caucasus is the towers of Svaneti (Georgia). Towers can be seen in many villages. It is not clear what role they played. It is known that they were built from the 8th to the 13th centuries, then they stopped building them. Svan towers have three floors: the first is monolithic, the second has an entrance to which a wooden staircase leads. The walls are vertical and the roof is crenellated. Each tower has only one narrow window, and it faces south. There is no hearth or stove. Their purpose is still unclear: it is difficult to defend in them, they do not protect against avalanches. The current population often uses them as storage facilities.
