BENDEBIKE KESHENE

BENDEBIKE KESHENE, an artifact of history and architecture dating back to 14—15th centuries. It is located near Derevnya Maksyutovo of the Kugarchinsky Raion. It was discovered in 1968 and formally studied between 1968–69 by N.А.Mazhitov. It was a centric two‑tier structure, topped with a dome. The lower tier of the keshene was of a rectangular shape (8.8х6.9 m) while the upper tier had eight facets. The walls (1.1 m thick) were made of gray brick with a fir‑tree‑like ornament made in red color. The entrance from the south was a portal (2.25х1.86 m) with a vaulted ceiling. The floor was made of cob brick. A narrow doorway led to the burial chamber. Near the northern walls there was discovered a grave pit oriented from West to East; the walls and the bottom of which were lined with limestone slabs. The deceased was buried on her back, with her head directed towards W. At the bottom of the grave there were found ash and remnants of bark. The materials are stored in the Institute of Anthropology at Moscow State University. According to a Bashkir legend Bendebika and Erense-sesen, Bendebike was known as auliya (a holy woman, endowed by God with miraculous power), who was famous for her wisdom and was respected by her people.